Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is visiting Eritrea to discuss bilateral ties and regional stability, accompanied by his Egyptian counterpart President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, amidst rising tensions in the Horn of Africa following a controversial Ethiopian agreement with Somaliland. The visit aims to strengthen relationships and address security in the region.
On Thursday, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud embarked on a visit to Eritrea amid escalating tensions in the Horn of Africa, notably stemming from strained relations between Somalia and Ethiopia. His Egyptian counterpart, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, whose administration has expressed support for Somalia in its ongoing disputes with Ethiopia, was also scheduled to arrive in Asmara later that day, as noted in a statement from Sisi’s office. President Mohamud’s visit, which commenced late Wednesday at the invitation of Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, is set to last three days and includes a delegation featuring Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi. According to statements from Eritrea’s Ministry of Information, discussions will focus on enhancing bilateral relations as well as regional and international matters of shared interest. Tensions in the Horn of Africa have escalated following Ethiopia’s controversial agreement with Somaliland that grants access to the sea, which has incited hostility in Somalia due to its non-recognition of Somaliland’s declaration of independence dating back to 1991. In response, Somalia has sought to bolster its alliance with Egypt, culminating in a significant military agreement reached in August. Egypt has historically been at odds with Ethiopia, particularly regarding the implications of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile, which Egypt views as a threat to its vital water resources. President Sisi’s impending visit to Asmara is intended to strengthen ties with Eritrea and to facilitate the pursuit of stability and security in both the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea regions, thereby promoting regional development and addressing the needs of the populace. Despite Eritrean troops having previously supported Ethiopian government forces during the conflict against Tigrayan rebels from 2020 to 2022, relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have continued to deteriorate. Recently, Ethiopian Airlines announced a suspension of flights to Asmara, citing challenging operational conditions. Eritrea has been frequently compared to “the North Korea of Africa,” being controlled firmly by President Isaias Afwerki since gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993 following a protracted thirty-year war.
The Horn of Africa has been a region marked by complex geopolitical dynamics, particularly in the context of relations between Somalia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea. Following the 1991 declaration of independence by Somaliland, Somalia has viewed ongoing agreements involving Somaliland with skepticism, leading to significant diplomatic strains with Ethiopia. Egypt’s involvement is also critical, as it seeks to counter Ethiopian actions regarding water resources, specifically those stemming from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project, which poses potential risks to Egypt’s water supply. Eritrea, under President Afwerki, has maintained a contentious relationship with Ethiopia despite past alliances and support during times of conflict.
In summary, the recent visits of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi of Egypt to Eritrea underscore the urgent need for diplomatic efforts in the face of escalating regional tensions in the Horn of Africa. The discussions are expected to address crucial bilateral relations, as well as broader regional security concerns amid a backdrop of historical grievances and complex alliances.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
