Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Demeke Mekonnen met his Somali counterpart Saleh Ahmed Jama on the sidelines of the ongoing AU Extra-Ordinary Summit in Naimey, Niger.
The two Deputy Prime Ministers have agreed to forge a deeper bilateral and multilateral partnership.
Both sides have also agreed to hold a joint ministerial commission as early as possible.
“Peace in Ethiopia has a multiplier effect on Somalia and beyond. He also commended Ethiopia for its critical role in the fight against terrorism,” said Saleh Ahmed Jama
Demeke noted that Ethiopia is prepared to share its experience in different sectors with Somalia.
Two weeks ago, the Ethiopian National Information and Security Service and its counterpart in Somalia signed a memorandum of understanding to carry out coordinated information exchange and joint operations to prevent Al-Shabaab, a threat in the Horn of Africa, stop its terrorist activities.
The MoU was signed by the Director General of the Ethiopian NISS, Temesegen Tiruneh, and the Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Agency of Somalia, Mahad Mohammed, in Ethiopia.
Mahad Mohammed also stated that Ethiopia has great capacity and experience in preventing and foiling terrorism.
