Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro arrived in Addis Ababa on Tuesday, marking the start of what could become one of the most consequential diplomatic engagements between Somaliland and Ethiopia in recent years.
Irro and his delegation were welcomed at Bole International Airport by Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie, signaling an unusually high-level reception for the visiting leader. Smiling and shaking hands on the tarmac, both men projected warmth and intent—an early hint of the significance attached to this visit.
According to Somaliland’s presidency, President Irro is expected to meet Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for what officials describe as “strategic discussions on bilateral and regional developments.” While details remain closely guarded, the talks are anticipated to touch on areas of mutual interest, including trade, infrastructure cooperation, regional security, and Ethiopia’s long-standing pursuit of sea access.
The visit comes at a delicate moment in the Horn of Africa, where shifting alliances and diplomatic overtures carry far-reaching implications. Relations between Somaliland and Ethiopia have historically oscillated between economic partnership and geopolitical calculation. Irro’s arrival—his first major foreign visit since taking office—suggests both sides are ready to reset the tone.
Observers in Hargeisa and Addis Ababa say the chemistry between the two leaders will be crucial. President Irro, who campaigned on promises of diplomatic expansion and economic uplift, is seeking to position Somaliland as a constructive regional actor. Abiy, meanwhile, is navigating mounting domestic and regional pressures while continuing to search for reliable allies.
For now, the public choreography remains cordial. But behind the closed doors of Menelik Palace, the conversations are expected to be candid, strategic, and deeply consequential—not just for Somaliland and Ethiopia, but for the wider Horn of Africa.