Eritrea’s Afwerki lands in Mogadishu, also to visit Kenya

Eritrea President Isaias Afwerki this morning arrived in Mogadishu, a first in about 15 years since Somalia and Eritrea cut diplomatic ties amid accusations Asmara was funding terrorism in Somalia.

Afwerki was received by his host President Mohamed Farmaajo at Aden Abdulle Airport in Mogadishu before proceeding to Villa Somalia where the two are expected to hold talks as part of ongoing tripartite talks which also includes Ethiopia.

Farmaajo has visited Asmara two times- in late July and September where alongside Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed the three leaders signed security, economic and political agreements. The agreements have since become subject of an impeachment motion against Farmaajo whom sponsors of the motion accuse of unilateral decisions without the involvement of the Federal Parliament and Cabinet.

Afwerki is also expected to Nairobi on another state visit according to Eritrea’s information minister Yemane Meskel.

“President Isaias Afwerki will proceed from Mogadishu to Nairobi for a working visit to the Republic of Kenya on the invitation of President Uhuru Kenyatta,” said Meskel in a tweet