JIGJIGA — Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud traveled to Jigjiga on Saturday for a trilateral summit with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh.
The leaders gathered to inaugurate the “Shabelle” tourism initiative, a major development project implemented by the Somali Regional State intended to showcase the city’s attractions and stimulate the local economy.
Calculated Diplomatic Silence
Despite the public display of cooperation, the visit was marked by a notable diplomatic gesture from Mogadishu. The presidential office’s official account of the trip refrained from explicitly mentioning “Ethiopia” or the “Somali Regional State,” a decision widely viewed as calculated leverage.
Analysts interpret this omission as a signal that Mogadishu sees no obligation to verbally affirm Ethiopian sovereignty over the region while Addis Ababa continues to pursue separate dealings with Somaliland to obtain sea access.
The measured language appears designed to apply diplomatic pressure, serving as a cautionary signal that Somalia may reconsider its established stance on the Somali Region should Ethiopia proceed toward formally recognizing Somaliland.
The “Somaliweyn” Shift
The summit has sparked intense debate regarding the trajectory of pan-Somali nationalism (“Somaliweyn”). By celebrating a development initiative within Ethiopia’s borders alongside Prime Minister Abiy, Presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ismail Omar Guelleh are seen by some observers as effectively acknowledging existing borders and prioritizing regional stability over irredentist aspirations.
Critics and analysts point to an apparent inconsistency in this approach. While Somalia and Djibouti commend self-determination and development for Somalis within Ethiopia, they continue to vehemently oppose Somaliland’s independence bid.
Regional Tensions Persist
The meeting occurred against a backdrop of complex regional dynamics. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has notably not repudiated his earlier memorandum of understanding with Somaliland, which suggested recognition in return for naval access.
Additionally, reports of Israel‘s recent engagement with Hargeisa have added another layer of urgency to the diplomatic maneuvering.
While the Jigjiga summit presented a front of collaboration on security and economic progress, the underlying tensions regarding sovereignty and the future of the Horn of Africa remain unresolved.
