MOGADISHU, Somalia – Former Somali Prime Minister and current presidential candidate Abdi Farah Shirdon has traveled to Asmara, Eritrea, where he met President Isaias Afwerki to discuss bilateral ties and regional cooperation.
Thabit Mohamed, former Mayor of Mogadishu, confirmed that he accompanied Shirdon during the visit, describing the trip as a “valuable moment of brotherhood” between the two nations. Mohamed expressed gratitude to Eritrea for its longstanding support to Somalia, particularly in the fields of peace, security, and capacity building.
The meeting comes at a time when Somalia is heading into a highly contested presidential race, with candidates seeking to strengthen their foreign policy credentials and secure backing from regional partners. Eritrea has historically maintained a complicated relationship with Somalia, alternating between estrangement and close cooperation depending on political dynamics in the Horn of Africa.
Over recent years, Asmara has expanded its engagement in Somalia, including military training programs for Somali forces. Analysts say Shirdon’s outreach to Eritrea signals his intent to cultivate regional alliances ahead of the upcoming elections.
Neither Eritrean nor Somali officials released detailed information on the substance of the talks, but observers believe discussions likely touched on security collaboration, trade, and broader regional stability.
Shirdon, who served as Somalia’s Prime Minister from 2012 to 2013, is among several prominent figures vying for the presidency, promising to restore political cohesion and rebuild international partnerships. His meeting with Afwerki underscores the increasing importance of Eritrea as a player in Somalia’s political landscape.