HARGEISA (Kaab TV) – After more than a year of diplomatic tension sparked by a controversial port access agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia, Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro has reached in Djibouti for a high-stakes visit aimed at restoring fractured relations.
Djibouti’s government has described the visit as a reflection of shared goals and longstanding friendship between the two sides.
President Irro was welcomed at Djibouti’s international airport by Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, who praised the visit as a gesture of goodwill and mutual interest.
“On behalf of President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, this visit symbolizes trust and friendship,” said Prime Minister Kamil. “In a world filled with uncertainty, this meeting reflects both sides’ commitment to building bridges, enhancing dialogue, and promoting peace.”
Irro then met president Guelleh in the presidential palace.
During the three-day visit, President Irro is scheduled to hold talks with President Guelleh, following an official invitation extended by Djibouti.
The agenda is expected to focus on repairing ties that soured after Somaliland signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ethiopia in January 2024.
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That deal, signed under former President Muse Bihi Abdi, offered Ethiopia port access and potentially a naval presence along Somaliland’s coast—moves Djibouti strongly opposed.
Djiboutian officials saw the MoU as a threat to their economic lifeline.
Nearly 95% of Ethiopia’s imports and exports pass through Djibouti’s ports, especially the Port of Doraleh, making Ethiopia its largest customer and a pillar of the country’s economy.
Somaliland, strategically located next to both Djibouti and Ethiopia, offers a shorter route to the Red Sea via the ports of Berbera and Zeila.
Over the past several years, Somaliland has invested heavily in modernizing its Berbera Port, positioning it as a viable alternative for Ethiopia’s trade needs.
While in Djibouti, President Irro is also expected to discuss cross-border security cooperation, trade integration, and the possible revival of the stalled talks between Somaliland and Somalia, which Hargeisa suspended earlier this year.
Both Djibouti and Somaliland are competing to serve Ethiopia’s growing trade demands. Ethiopia, in turn, has been actively pursuing a port under its full control and is reportedly interested in establishing a military base on the Red Sea.
President Irro has signaled that Somaliland is prepared to finalize a comprehensive trade agreement with Ethiopia later this year.
Following his visit to Djibouti, he is expected to travel to Addis Ababa for an official visit, where discussions will likely focus on security and economic cooperation.
Despite Somaliland’s lack of international recognition, President Irrojust last week emphasized that his administration remains open to forging strong bilateral ties.
“I thank the countries that have maintained security and economic relations with us, including Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan,” he said.