Ethiopia-somalia Relations and the Persistent Threat of Al-shabaab
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Date
2025-06
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Addis Ababa Unversity
Abstract
This study explores the evolving relationship between Ethiopia and Somalia within the context of
the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabaab, a transnational terrorist group that continues to
destabilize the Horn of Africa. Drawing on key informant interviews, official government
documents, media reports, and scholarly sources, the research examines how Al-Shabaab
influences bilateral relations acting simultaneously as a driver of tactical cooperation and a
source of strategic mistrust. The findings indicate that although shared security threats have led
to joint military operations and intelligence sharing, longstanding territorial disputes, foreign
influence, and propaganda-driven mistrust continue to undermine long-term diplomatic
progress. The paper concludes that future stability hinges on institutionalized cooperation,
economic interdependence, inclusive counterterrorism frameworks, and confidence-building
mechanisms.
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Keywords
Al-Shabaab, Ethiopia–Somalia relations, common security threat, persistent threat, counter terrorism, hostility and cooperation.