Djibouti Raises Alarm Over Strengthening Somalia-Eritrea Relations

Djibouti has officially voiced its concerns to Somalia regarding the latter’s growing relationship with Eritrea. Following a meeting between Presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia and Ismaïl Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, apprehensions were raised about Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki’s increasing influence in Somalia’s foreign affairs. Djibouti is particularly uneasy about a recent summit held in Eritrea that excluded Mogadishu as a host, reflecting ongoing tensions rooted in historical disputes between Djibouti and Eritrea.

Recent developments indicate that the government of Djibouti has formally expressed concerns regarding the burgeoning relationship between Somalia and Eritrea. Sources within Djibouti and Villa Somalia have disclosed that a complaint was lodged with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud following his recent discussions with Djiboutian President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh. This complaint largely pertains to Djibouti’s apprehensions about the increasing influence of Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki in Somalia. President Guelleh specifically articulated his discomfort concerning a recent tripartite summit held in Eritrea, which was attended by leaders from Somalia, Egypt, and Eritrea. The Djiboutian President raised significant questions regarding the choice of Asmara as the meeting venue rather than Mogadishu, reflecting Djibouti’s concerns about Somalia’s foreign policy trajectory under President Mohamud’s leadership. The longstanding, fraught dynamics between Djibouti and Eritrea, rooted in historical territorial disputes, have created a backdrop of tension. Djibouti now fears that Somalia’s deepening ties with Eritrea may jeopardize its own regional stability and influence. The shifts in Somalia’s foreign policy under President Hassan Sheikh have purportedly sparked instability in relations with neighboring nations, especially with Ethiopia and Djibouti itself, further complicating the geopolitical landscape in the Horn of Africa.

The Horn of Africa has historically been characterized by complex inter-state relationships, particularly involving Djibouti, Somalia, and Eritrea. Djibouti and Eritrea have had an extended history of conflict, mainly due to disputes over territory, which have been sources of prolonged tensions. In contrast, Somalia’s recent shift towards fostering closer ties with Eritrea, especially under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has raised alarms within Djibouti. The Djiboutian leadership perceives these developments as a potential threat to its own influence and security in the already volatile region. The diplomatic interactions, especially high-level summits that bypass Djibouti, are interpreted as diminishing Djibouti’s role in regional affairs, thus contributing to their expressed concerns.

In summary, Djibouti’s formal complaint to Somalia regarding its strengthening relationship with Eritrea reflects broader anxieties about geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa. President Guelleh’s concerns highlight the implications of Somalia’s foreign policy changes, which appear to not only challenge Djibouti’s regional status but also introduce instability in its relations with neighboring countries. The unfolding situation underscores the necessity for careful diplomatic engagement and dialogue to navigate these increasingly complicated relationships.

Original Source: www.garoweonline.com