Regional Leaders Navigate Tensions in the Horn of Africa

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Eritrea amid rising tensions with Ethiopia. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi plans to follow suit to enhance relations and address regional stability. The situation is complicated by Ethiopia’s controversial deal with Somaliland and historical disputes over water access influenced by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

On Thursday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia embarked on a visit to Eritrea, motivated by escalating tensions in the Horn of Africa region and particularly the strained relations between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa. Concurrently, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was also scheduled to visit Asmara later that day, as indicated in a statement from his office. President Mohamud arrived in Asmara on Wednesday evening for a three-day official visit at the invitation of Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. His delegation included Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi. The Eritrean information ministry announced via X that the discussions between the two leaders would focus on strengthening bilateral relations as well as addressing various regional and international issues of shared interest. The Horn of Africa has seen a surge in tensions following Ethiopia’s controversial agreement with Somaliland, which grants the latter access to the sea. This development has sparked outrage in Somalia, which does not recognize Somaliland’s declaration of independence made in 1991. In response, Somalia has sought to bolster its partnership with Egypt, culminating in a noteworthy military agreement established in August. Historically, Egypt and Ethiopia have had disputes, particularly concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam situated on the Blue Nile, a project that Egypt fears may compromise its water supply. President Sisi’s visit to Eritrea is intended to foster improved relations with Asmara and enhance cooperative measures aimed at promoting stability and security within the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, fostering development that aligns with the interests of the peoples in the region. Despite Eritrean forces having previously supported the Ethiopian government during the conflict with Tigrayan rebels from 2020 to 2022, relations between Addis Ababa and Asmara have soured. Recently, Ethiopian Airlines announced the suspension of flights to Asmara, citing adverse operating conditions. Eritrea, often described as the “North Korea” of Africa, has remained under the stringent rule of President Isaias since achieving independence from Ethiopia following a protracted thirty-year conflict.

The Horn of Africa is a volatile region marked by historical disputes and ongoing conflicts among its nations. The relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia has been particularly fraught, with a recent agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland igniting fresh tensions. As Somaliland seeks international recognition and access to the sea, Somalia is faced with defending its territorial claims and sovereignty. Egypt has aligned itself with Somalia in this dispute, historically opposing Ethiopia on issues such as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which threatens Egypt’s vital water supply from the Nile River. Eritrea, which has a complex relationship with Ethiopia and Somalia, plays a crucial role in regional dynamics, having supported Ethiopia in previous conflicts and now seeking relations with both Somalia and Egypt to foster stability in the area.

The visits of Presidents Mohamud and Sisi to Eritrea signify a strategic maneuver in response to rising tensions in the Horn of Africa, particularly concerning the relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia. The discussions aim to reinforce bilateral relations and address the pressing regional issues exacerbated by Ethiopia’s actions with Somaliland. As Egypt and Somalia seek to navigate these complexities together, the outcome may have significant implications for stability and cooperation in this historically tumultuous region.

Original Source: newscentral.africa