Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Djibouti on Wednesday for talks with senior officials, following a one-day working trip to Ethiopia where he met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The meetings come as tensions escalate across the Horn of Africa, with renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia between federal forces and Tigrayan fighters. Hassan Sheikh was received by Djiboutian officials at the airport, according to Somali officials.
The Somali presidency has not publicly released detailed information on the agenda for the Djibouti visit, but Somali officials indicate that the trip is expected to cover bilateral relations and regional security. Djibouti remains a longstanding security and political partner of Mogadishu. The visit is part of a regional diplomatic tour focused on security and cooperation, which is also expected to include a trip to Egypt.
The diplomatic activity comes amid intensified fighting in northern Ethiopia, which has spread across parts of Tigray, Afar, and Amhara, raising concerns over a wider regional spillover. The renewed violence has effectively undermined the fragile calm that followed the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement, which ended a two-year war between Ethiopian federal forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front.
Government-aligned forces have reported recent territorial gains, while Tigrayan forces have also seized strategic positions and launched attacks in neighbouring regions. Ethiopia has accused neighbouring countries, including Eritrea, Egypt, and Sudan, of supporting armed groups opposed to Prime Minister Abiy's government. However, these countries have rejected such accusations.
For Somalia, Hassan Sheikh's regional diplomacy comes amid political and security disputes inside the country, including tensions in South West State and Hiiraan. Mogadishu has sought greater federal influence over political and security arrangements in areas where it faces opposition from regional actors and political groups. Ethiopia maintains troops in parts of southern Somalia, including areas of Gedo and South West State.
Details of any discussions between Hassan Sheikh and Abiy on the deployment or future role of Ethiopian forces in Somalia were not publicly disclosed after their Addis Ababa meeting. The Somali president's meetings with leaders in Ethiopia and Djibouti, followed by a planned visit to Egypt, bring him into consultations with three countries that play significant roles in the political and security dynamics of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
The visits come as regional governments confront overlapping security challenges, including renewed fighting in Ethiopia, instability in Sudan, maritime security concerns, and political tensions within Somalia. Hassan Sheikh's diplomatic efforts aim to strengthen cooperation and address these shared security concerns. His trip to Egypt is expected to include discussions on developments in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
Key points
- Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visits Djibouti and Egypt as part of a regional diplomatic tour focused on security and cooperation.
- Renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia has raised concerns over a wider regional spillover and undermined the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement.
- The Somali president's meetings with leaders in Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Egypt aim to address shared security concerns and strengthen cooperation in the Horn of Africa.
