ADDIS ABABA (SD) – Somaliland is currently participating in an important conference taking place in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, where it has been granted significant official status.

The Addis Ababa conference, which focuses on African youth, has recognized Somaliland as a state-like entity, sparking discussions and debates.

Additionally, the flags of Somalia and Somaliland were displayed equally at the venue, alongside the flags of other African nations participating in the conference. Photos shared on social media have gone viral, further fueling the debate over the high-level status accorded to Somaliland.

This development comes as Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrived in Mogadishu today to hold talks with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, with a focus on strengthening reconciliation efforts between the two nations.

The diplomatic tension between Somalia and Ethiopia escalated last year after Ethiopia signed a deal with Somaliland to gain access to a seaport. However, in January of this year, the two countries announced the full restoration of their diplomatic relations following a peace agreement mediated by Turkey earlier in the month.