MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud flew to Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, on Wednesday.
Accompanied by Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim, President Mohamud is set to meet with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and addressing regional issues amid rising tensions with Ethiopia over a maritime memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia.
In comments to state-run media SONNA, Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim emphasized that the talks will also focus on regional challenges affecting the Horn of Africa, particularly enhancing cooperation on key matters of mutual interest, such as security and stability.
During his visit to Asmara, President Mohamud is expected to participate in a tripartite dialogue involving Somalia, Eritrea, and Egypt. If confirmed, this could pave the way for a potential military alliance among the three nations against Ethiopia, further escalating tensions in the Horn of Africa.
Last month, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, a tripartite meeting took place between the foreign ministers of Somalia, Egypt, and Eritrea—Ahmed Moalim, Badr Abdelatty, and Osman Saleh—focusing on reaffirming political will to achieve common goals, maintain regional stability, and uphold the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia.
In late August, Egypt began delivering military supplies to Somalia, with several convoys transporting weapons to the Ministry of Defense headquarters and nearby military bases in Mogadishu. Egypt is also set to deploy at least 10,000 troops to Somalia, a move that has sent shockwaves through Ethiopia, heightening concerns over regional rivalry encroaching on its borders.
Egypt has aligned itself with Somalia in its dispute with Ethiopia, especially after signing a controversial MoU with Somaliland. This agreement grants Ethiopia access to a 20-kilometer (12.4 mile) stretch of Red Sea coastline in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence, escalating tensions between the two nations.
Somalia views the MoU, signed in January, as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, resulting in a diplomatic rift that includes the expulsion of the Ethiopian ambassador from Mogadishu and threats to withdraw Ethiopian troops from Somalia.
Last week, Somalia’s national security adviser, Hussein Moalim, reiterated that Somalia remains steadfast regarding Ethiopian forces’ involvement in the upcoming African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), following the expiration of the current AU mission in January 2025.
Moalim stated that Somalia would not accept Ethiopian troops as part of the new mission unless they withdraw from the contentious MoU with Somaliland.
Last month, during his address to the U.N. General Assembly, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie stated that his country had nothing to do with Somalia’s allegations and denied accusations regarding the MoU signed with Somaliland.
