Hargeisa (ANN)-The President of the Republic of Somaliland, His Excellency Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilaahi (Cirro), has embarked on an official working trip to Ethiopia today, following an official invitation from the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, His Excellency Abiy Ahmed.
The President of the Republic of Somaliland was received at Bole International Airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Gedion Timotheos, and other officials of the Federal Government of Ethiopia.
The welcome for the President of Somaliland was one of high protocol, they spent some time relaxing in the VIP lounge at Addis Ababa Airport. The President and his delegation were then escorted to the designated location while they were in Addis Ababa.
The issues to be discussed at the meeting between the President and his delegation planned for Addis Ababa are not known for certain. However, a brief press release from the Spokesperson’s Office stated that this trip carries significant diplomatic objectives, which aim to strengthen the historical ties, strategic cooperation and important interests between the two countries, especially in the areas of security, economy, trade and transportation.
The president and his delegation traveled by private jet. While in Addis Ababa, the president will hold high-level meetings with Ethiopian leaders, which will focus on strengthening bilateral cooperation, boosting trade and exchanges between the two countries, as well as working together for peace and stability in the Horn of Africa region. The press release said.
The President is accompanied on his trip by a large delegation consisting of: the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Presidency, Finance, Public Works, Investment; the Commander of the National Army, and the Director of the National Intelligence Service.
The press release noted that this trip demonstrates the new diplomatic landscape of the Republic of Somaliland, and how the government led by President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilaahi (Ciro) is striving to enhance the reputation, territorial and diplomatic independence, and important role of Somaliland in the Horn of Africa and the world.
On the other hand, the Somaliland President’s trip comes ten months after he won the November 2024 elections. It is worth noting that this is his first visit to Ethiopia since he took office, and his sixth trip to another country, as President Abdirahman returned yesterday from a two-week trip to the UAE.
Meinwhile, the other hand, what makes this trip different from all previous trips is that it is highly publicized and particularly creates sensitive discussions, as there was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Somaliland and Ethiopia on January 1, 2024, although it created a sensitive feeling in the region, with Somalia and other parties taking it to a political and diplomatic storm, but Turkey intervened in this matter and the two countries Ethiopia and Somalia reached an agreement in Ankara that was facilitated by Turkey. which undermined the plans for the MoU Agreement reached by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abay Ahmed and former Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi.
Other highly publicized aspects of the President’s current trip are part of the discussions that are being closely watched by the public, as the President of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh, held a closed-door meeting a day earlier with Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa, a meeting that was not officially announced.
Therefore, it is uncertain whether President Abdirahman and his delegation will resume the MOU agreement with the Ethiopian government that Ethiopia sought in the Red Sea, in exchange for which Somaliland would receive recognition, even though the matter appeared to be unripe fruit.
Related : The Agreement also includes that Somaliland has been given a share in Ethiopian Airlines
Written by Arraale M. Jama, a freelance journalist and human rights activist.
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