ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived Saturday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, for a diplomatic visit focused on regional cooperation.
President Mohamud Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, discussing ways to enhance development cooperation and shared interest between both nations in the region.
The meeting also covered the need for regional stability, cooperation and counterterrorism efforts across the Horn.
They also agreed to launch technical negotiations under Turkey’s facilitation to resolve outstanding bilateral issues.
Reliable sources say President Mohamud seeks Ethiopian neutrality to prevent support for Jubaland leadership, which opposes his push for unified elections.
His administration reportedly plans to establish a parallel regional government in Gedo, a region where Ethiopian forces hold influence.
Unconfirmed reports also suggest President Mohamud raised concerns about an upcoming visit to Addis Ababa by Somaliland president, Abdirahman Irro, for diplomatic talks.
Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991, is not internationally recognized, and Somalia opposes foreign engagement treating it as a sovereign state.
Neither Somali nor Ethiopian officials confirmed whether Jubaland or Somaliland were formally discussed during the closed-door meeting.
President Mohamud reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to peace, regional cooperation, and fighting terrorism, emphasizing the need for united action across the Horn of Africa.