January 11, 2015-Ethiopia and the Government of Somalia are working together to root out al-Shabaab from southern Somalia. According to geeskaafrika, Ethiopia’s efforts in southern Somalia are paying off. Recent reports show that al-Shabaab has lost 80% of their territory since last year.

In Mogadishu at the IGAD meeting for foreign ministers, Ethiopia and Somalia pledged increased security ties to counter al-Shabaab in Somalia. Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Tedros, remarked that Somalia had “made major achievements in terms of security.”

Dr. Tedros is also quoted as saying, “Our defense ministers will carry out a more detailed study on this security issue. We already have provided support in terms of military training. We are ready to give whatever further assistance we can in these areas.”

Dr. Tedros is Ethiopia’s first foreign minister to visit Somalia since 2007. Ethiopia indicated that it would be sending weapons to Somalia to fight al-Shabaab.