MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has arrived in Asmara for a two-day visit after receiving an official invitation, his 13th trip since re-election in May 2022.
President Mohamud will meet with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues, including Somalia’s sea access deal with Ethiopia under the Ankara Declaration.
The visit comes as doubts grow over the Ankara accord, after Somalia accused Ethiopia of attacking Somali troops in Dollow, Gedo region—an accusation Ethiopia denies.
The accusation stirred up tensions eased in talks led by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on December 11.
The Ankara treaty also raised concerns over the new alliance between Somalia, Eritrea, and Egypt to enhance Somalia’s institutions and military to defend its borders and sovereignty.
On Monday, Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim met with Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty, discussing the new African Union stabilization mission starting next month.
Minister Abdelatty confirmed Egypt’s readiness to contribute to the mission.
Somalia also sent another delegation to Addis Ababa for similar talks. Ethiopia seeks to keep its troops in Somalia as part of the new mission.
Regional analysts suggest the new mission will face challenges, as Ethiopia and Egypt, both viewing each other as enemies over the Nile River dispute, contribute troops.
Abdelatty said the Red Sea should be exclusive to bordering nations, opposing Ethiopia’s bid for sea access through the Ankara Declaration with Somalia.
In October, a tripartite summit in Asmara attended by Presidents of Egypt, Eritrea and Somalia, forged an alliance dubbed as ‘Axis’ against Ethiopia.
After the meeting, Somalia and Eritrea signed an agreement on regional security, focusing on the stability of the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Despite tensions, it remains uncertain whether Somalia and Eritrea will strike a deal that hinders Ethiopia’s efforts for sea access as France’s promise to help Addis Ababa in building a navy is on the line.
