President Mohamud Backs Ethiopia Dam Launch In Show Of Regional Solidarity

GOOBJOOG NEWS | ADDIS ABABA: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Tuesday joined fellow regional leaders at the inauguration of Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), in a visit seen as reinforcing Somalia’s role in Horn of Africa diplomacy.

President Mohamud’s attendance alongside the leaders of Djibouti, Kenya and South Sudan underscored Somalia’s support for Ethiopia’s flagship $5 billion hydroelectric project, which Addis Ababa has championed as vital for development and energy security.

The visit carries broader significance, projecting Somalia’s commitment to regional cooperation at a time of shifting alliances and shared challenges, from climate change to energy access.

Officials close to the delegation said the president’s presence highlighted Somalia’s intention to be an active voice in continental forums and to strengthen ties with Ethiopia despite complex Nile Basin politics.

The GERD, built on the Blue Nile, has drawn international scrutiny and opposition from Egypt and Sudan, who fear reduced water flows. But for Ethiopia and its supporters, the dam represents resilience and progress.

The president’s participation signals both solidarity with Ethiopia and Somalia’s readiness to engage in dialogue on regional infrastructure and resource-sharing that could shape the Horn’s future stability and growth.