The leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia, two neighboring nations that have not seen each other eye to eye in the recent past, are both in the country for different engagements.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia arrived on Tuesday, February 27, for a state visit at the invitation of President William Ruto.
One day later, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia arrived in Nairobi on Wednesday Afternoon for an official visit, to spark speculations about the agenda of their visits.
In a statement, Villa Somalia communicated that the President was in Kenya to attend the 6th Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) taking place in Nairobi.
As part of his agenda, President Mohamud will highlight challenges affecting Somalia including climate-induced humanitarian crisis.
In particular, Villa Somalia indicated that the President would raise the issue of how some unilateral actions are worsening its security and stability challenges.
“President Hassan Sheikh will touch on the challenges hampering peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region,” the statement by Villa Somalia read.
“He will discuss how certain destabilizing unilateral actions threaten to exacerbate the worsening situation.”
According to a joint communique issued by State House on Ethiopian Prime Minister’s visit, President Ruto and Abiy Ahmed discussed the need to maintain peace, security and stability within the Horn of Africa region.
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The two leaders, State House noted, affirmed their commitment to recognize, respect and uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States- which has been the bone of contention between Somalia and Ethiopia.
“Accordingly, they affirmed their commitment to recognize, respect and uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, and to reject unconstitutional changes of government as well as interference in domestic political processes of African Countries by external interests,” the Communique issued by State House read in part.
When Somalia President was forced cut short Ethiopia trip
The visits of the two leaders came days after the confusion that rocked the African Union Assembly held in mid-February in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Somali President Sheikh Mohamud told the press that he was forced to cut his trip to the African Union headquarters after security forces reportedly blocked his way as he prepared to attend the closing session.
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News about the altercation had been preceded by tension between the two countries, with President Mohamud publicly calling out Addis Ababa over the contentious deal struck between Prime Minister Abiy and breakaway territory Somaliland.
“This morning when I prepared myself to attend the closing session of the summit, the Ethiopian security blocked my way,” Mohamud told the media in February.
Disputes between the two countries started early in 2024 after Prime Minister Abiy struck a deal with Somaliland to allow Ethiopia use the Red Sea naval port in Somalia’s territory.
The Federal Republic of Somalia still considers Somaliland its territory despite the latter’s assertion that it is autonomous and even establishing its own government.
In response to the deal, Somalia led by President Mohamud accused Ethiopia of attempting to annex its territory.
