Addis Ababa (KAAB TV) — Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met with General Michael Langley, Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), in Addis Ababa to discuss bilateral relations and regional security concerns of mutual interest.
“Today in Addis Ababa, I welcomed General Michael Langley, Commander of AFRICOM. We discussed issues related to relations between our two countries and broader regional concerns,” Prime Minister Abiy stated following the meeting.
The Ethiopian government did not disclose further details regarding the discussion. The visit comes at a time when the United States has intensified drone strikes in Somalia, targeting militant groups such as Daesh and Al-Shabaab.
Following his visit to Ethiopia, General Langley joined a senior U.S. delegation, led by Ambassador Richard Riley, on a trip to Somaliland. The delegation held meetings in Berbera and Hargeisa with Somaliland President Abd Rahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Irro) and other high-level officials.
During the visit, the American delegation also toured the Port of Berbera, evaluating its strategic infrastructure as part of ongoing discussions about regional security cooperation.
A press release from the Somaliland presidency stated that the meetings focused on “shared security concerns, maritime interests, and defense cooperation,” highlighting the strategic importance of Berbera, particularly in relation to the Bab el-Mandeb strait—a critical maritime chokepoint for global shipping.
Diplomatic sources indicate that the U.S. is exploring the possibility of establishing new military installations in Berbera, as part of a broader effort to counter emerging threats from the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen. The Houthis have recently been involved in attacks on international vessels in the Red Sea, escalating regional tensions.
Security analysts warn that a direct conflict between the United States and Iran could trigger widespread retaliation. U.S. military bases across the Middle East and the Horn of Africa—such as the one in Djibouti—could become targets, potentially destabilizing the region.