Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – In a move that caught many observers off guard, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud made an unannounced visit to Addis Ababa on Sunday for high-level discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The trip — shrouded in diplomatic discretion until the leaders were already behind closed doors — comes at a time when relations between the two neighboring nations have been under intense scrutiny.
According to the Somali presidency, the talks focused on “deepening ties and boosting regional stability,” with both leaders emphasizing the importance of rebuilding cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and good neighborliness. While few details were made public, the carefully chosen language suggests an attempt to ease recent tensions, particularly following disagreements over sovereignty and security matters.
The surprise engagement marks the latest in a series of diplomatic maneuvers by Mogadishu as it seeks to reassert its influence in the Horn of Africa. For Ethiopia, the meeting provides an opportunity to address growing concerns about its regional posture and to reaffirm its commitment to peaceful coexistence.
Regional analysts say the encounter could pave the way for renewed coordination on security, trade, and border management. However, much will depend on how both sides follow through on their pledges once the cameras are gone.
For now, the optics are significant: two leaders who have often found themselves at odds choosing dialogue over distance — and doing so without fanfare.