Djibouti (KAAB TV) – The President of Somaliland, Abdirahman Irro, has met with diplomats from the Ethiopian Embassy in Djibouti during his recent visit to the country.
President Irro held talks with the Ethiopian diplomats led by Kebede Abera Ido, the Deputy Ambassador of Ethiopia to Djibouti.
Their discussions covered issues including the security of the Red Sea and trade routes.
“The President discussed with the Ambassadors the development of the region’s economy, investment opportunities, trade facilitation, the promotion of infrastructure projects, and the increase in humanitarian aid,” the Somaliland Presidency said in a statement.
The Ethiopian Deputy Ambassador stated that they are working to strengthen the diplomatic relations between Somaliland and Ethiopia, particularly in the areas of security and trade cooperation.
The meeting comes shortly after Ethiopia backed away from a controversial agreement it had signed with the Somaliland administration on January 1, 2024, which Ethiopia claimed had granted it access to a portion of Somaliland’s coastline.
Ethiopia has long sought sea access to facilitate the import and export of goods to and from international markets.
On May 18, President Irro announced that Somaliland would further strengthen its relations with Ethiopia, Djibouti, and the United Arab Emirates.
The President is also expected to visit Ethiopia in the near future.
Since Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s visit to Las Anod, Somaliland has suspended its dialogue with the Federal Government of Somalia, accusing the Somali government of instigating provocations against Somaliland.
The Somali government has previously rejected the maritime agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland.