Djibouti has formally expressed concerns about Somalia’s increasing relations with Eritrea. President Guelleh voiced unease regarding Eritrean influence in Somalia, particularly after a recent summit. Djibouti fears that this closeness could weaken its regional standing and destabilize relationships with Ethiopia. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between Djibouti, Somalia, and Eritrea.
Djibouti has expressed significant concern over the strengthening relations between Somalia and Eritrea. Sources have confirmed that Djibouti’s government has formally lodged a complaint with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud following a recent meeting with Djiboutian President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh. The complaint revolves around Djibouti’s worries regarding the increasing influence of Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki within Somalia’s affairs.
President Guelleh has articulated his discomfort regarding President Afwerki’s growing role, which was exacerbated by a recent tripartite summit attended by leaders of Somalia, Egypt, and Eritrea in Asmara. President Guelleh questioned why such a significant meeting was not held in Mogadishu, raising suspicions about the new direction of Somalia’s foreign policy under Hassan Sheikh’s administration.
The history between Djibouti and Eritrea has been marred by territorial disputes and prolonged tensions. Djibouti is increasingly apprehensive that Somalia forging closer ties with Eritrea may compromise its own regional influence and stability. This shift in Somalia’s foreign relations may also impact its interactions with Ethiopia, indicating a broader regional instability since Hassan Sheikh took office.
In conclusion, Djibouti’s formal complaint regarding Somalia’s relationship with Eritrea underscores heightened regional tensions. The dialog initiated by President Guelleh reveals concerns about the implications of Somalia’s foreign policy under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. This developing narrative not only threatens Djibouti’s influence but may also destabilize relations with neighboring Ethiopia, reflecting a complex geopolitical landscape in the Horn of Africa.
Original Source: garoweonline.com
