Hargeisa, Somaliland — Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro returned to Hargeisa on Thursday after a multi-day working visit to Addis Ababa, where he held high-level talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The President, accompanied by senior government officials, was welcomed at Egal International Airport by members of his cabinet and traditional leaders, who hailed the trip as a milestone in Somaliland’s regional diplomacy.
In a statement released by his office, President Irro said discussions with Prime Minister Abiy were “frank and forward-looking,” centering on deepening diplomatic relations, bolstering security cooperation, expanding trade, improving cross-border mobility, and developing shared infrastructure projects.
While no specific agreements were disclosed, officials familiar with the visit described it as part of a broader effort by Somaliland to formalize economic and political partnerships with neighboring states amid shifting dynamics in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia, a key economic player in the region, has long relied on Somaliland’s port of Berbera for commercial access to the Red Sea.
President Irro emphasized the importance of mutual respect and stability in fostering cooperation, noting that Somaliland seeks “constructive partnerships that uplift our people and strengthen peace across borders.”
His return comes at a time when Somaliland is working to balance its international outreach with growing domestic expectations for economic growth and recognition. Observers say the president will now face pressure to translate diplomatic goodwill into tangible benefits for citizens, particularly in job creation and infrastructure development.
For many Somalilanders, the visit symbolizes renewed confidence in their leadership’s ability to navigate complex regional politics without compromising their longstanding pursuit of self-determination.
“Dialogue is the bridge between aspiration and achievement. We have taken important steps in that direction,” President Irro told reporters briefly upon arrival.