Somalia, Ethiopia agree joint investment in four ports

On 16 June 2018, Horn Diplomat reported that Somalia and Ethiopia had agreed to a "joint investment in 4 key ports." The announcement followed a meeting in Mogadishu between Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, according to the report.

The report, citing an unnamed "statement," said the two leaders "expressed their mutual respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of both nations." An Ethiopian delegation led by Abiy arrived in Mogadishu earlier that day, and Farmajo welcomed the group at Aden Adde International Airport, Horn Diplomat stated.

Horn Diplomat labeled the item a "developing story" and said it would provide updates. The report, however, did not identify the four ports, give an investment value, name a funding source or contractor, or specify a timeline. It also did not identify the body that issued the statement.

No independent confirmation from Ethiopian or Somali officials was available in the source. As of the report's publication, no details were provided on whether the agreement involved equity, loans, concessions, or other instruments, and no implementation had been confirmed.

Since the 2018 report, no updates have been published by Horn Diplomat in the evidence reviewed. The current status of the agreement remains unverified.