Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi is set to arrive in Ethiopia on Tuesday for an official visit at the invitation of the Ethiopian government, according to officials familiar with the arrangements.
The trip will mark President Abdillahi’s first visit to Ethiopia since assuming office. Several Somaliland ministers have already arrived in Addis Ababa to finalize preparations for the two-to-three-day visit, sources confirmed.
During his stay, President Abdillahi is expected to hold bilateral discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, focusing on regional cooperation, trade, and efforts to enhance relations between Ethiopia and Somaliland.
Diplomatic observers say the visit comes at a sensitive moment in the Horn of Africa, as both Ethiopia and Somalia navigate complex regional dynamics. On October 12, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hosted Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Addis Ababa for talks on bilateral and regional issues, underscoring Ethiopia’s continued engagement with both sides.
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, operates with its own government, currency, and security forces, though it remains unrecognized internationally. The region has maintained relative stability compared to southern Somalia and continues to seek greater international recognition.
The details of President Abdillahi’s agenda have not been officially disclosed, but analysts suggest that discussions may include economic collaboration, security coordination, and Ethiopia’s ongoing interest in regional trade access.
The visit is expected to reaffirm the two sides’ willingness to maintain dialogue and explore mutual areas of cooperation amid shifting political and economic developments in the Horn region.