Somaliland President to visit Ethiopia
By: Getahun Tsegaye
Staff Reporter
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — The President of the Republic of Somaliland, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro), received Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Somaliland, Teshome Shunde Hamito, at the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa, reaffirming strong bilateral ties between the two neighbors.
According to Horn Diplomat, the meeting was attended by Somaliland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdirahman Dahir Adan, and focused on “enhancing bilateral cooperation” and facilitating “the movement of people across their shared border.” Both parties stressed the importance of “constructive dialogue” and pledged to further deepen mutual relations.
The diplomatic engagement between Ethiopia and Somaliland triggered tension with Somalia leading to new alliances and military pacts in the region. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland for sea access was a violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, for Mogadishu. The year-long tension throughout 2024 was resolved with Turkish mediation following the Ankara Declaration.
Somalia is yet to remark on the meeting between Ethiopian Ambassador to Somaliland and President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro).
President Irro has adopted a more assertive foreign policy since taking office, aiming to expand Somaliland’s international profile. He also announced plans for an upcoming official state visit to Ethiopia, as stated during his recent State of the Nation address.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmed commitment to “peaceful, productive relations” between Somaliland and Ethiopia.
Meanwhile, local Ethiopian news sources are reporting that the Somaliland President is scheduled for a working visit to Ethiopia. Dates are unspecified.