Date: Monday, 13 August 2018
Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh has arrived in the country following President Mohamed Farmaajo’s historic visit to the Red Sea nation as both countries announced restoration of diplomatic relations.
Saleh, accompanied by his country’s presidential advisor Yemane Gabraeb was received by Prime Minister Hassan Khaire at Aden Adde Airport in Mogadishu.
The two countries have not had diplomatic relations for nearly 15 years following accusations that Eritrea supported the militant group Al-Shabaab in Somalia. But during a visit July 28, leaders of both countries declared an end to differences between the two countries and announced to fully restore relations including exchanging ambassadors.
“The agreement between Eritrea and Somalia puts an end to the distorted regional order of enmity and competition, and opens a new horizon for sustainable peace and economic integration. It will strengthen the sub-regional conflict prevention and resolution mechanism,” a statement from the meeting read in part.
But the call by Farmaajo on the UN to lift sanctions against Eritrea sparked sharp criticism from Djibouti which termed support for Eritrea as ‘unacceptable’.