Somaliland’s new President, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro, arrived in Djibouti on Wednesday for a three-day state visit aimed at resetting strained diplomatic relations and exploring new avenues for regional cooperation in the Horn of Africa.
Welcomed at Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport by Prime Minister Abdikadir Kamil Mohamed, the visit is being hailed by both sides as a significant gesture toward restoring trust following a period of diplomatic friction.
“This visit reflects a shared commitment to dialogue, mutual respect, and regional peace,” Prime Minister Mohamed said, speaking on behalf of President Ismail Omar Guelleh.
Tensions between the two neighbors flared earlier in 2024 after Somaliland signed a contentious agreement with Ethiopia, reportedly involving port access and security cooperation. The deal was seen by Djibouti as a challenge to its strategic dominance over Ethiopia’s trade corridor, as more than 95% of Ethiopia’s imports and exports pass through Djibouti’s ports.
President Irro’s visit marks the first major foreign engagement of his presidency and comes amid shifting alliances and growing competition over control of Red Sea trade routes. Talks between President Irro and President Guelleh are expected to cover security coordination, cross-border trade, and regional infrastructure integration.
The leaders will also explore the possibility of reviving the long-stalled dialogue between Somaliland and Somalia, with Djibouti having previously hosted mediation efforts.
The visit signals a new diplomatic tone from Hargeisa under Irro’s leadership, with a strong emphasis on pragmatic engagement and economic diplomacy. Irro is also expected to travel to Addis Ababa following his Djibouti stop, where he aims to finalize a major trade and investment framework with the Ethiopian government.
Analysts say Somaliland is seeking to diversify its partnerships, improve regional ties, and position itself as a stable and strategic player in the Horn of Africa. Irro’s early moves suggest a calculated effort to enhance Somaliland’s economic and political standing amid an increasingly competitive regional environment.