President Mohamud in Ethiopia for Talks amid Renewed Tigray Fighting

GOOBJOOG NEWS | ADDIS ABABA: Federal Republic of Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Ethiopia on Tuesday for talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, as renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia raises fresh concerns over regional stability.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received President Mohamud at Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, with the two leaders expected to discuss bilateral and regional issues, according to the Ethiopian News Agency.

The visit comes as fighting between Ethiopian federal forces and Tigray forces has escalated in northern Ethiopia, with clashes reported in Tigray and neighbouring Amhara and Afar regions. Pro-government forces said this week they had retaken the strategic town of Alamata, while communications disruptions have made independent verification of developments on the ground difficult.

The conflict has raised fears of a return to the devastating 2020-2022 Tigray war, which ended with the Pretoria peace agreement but left unresolved political and security tensions. The African Union has called for restraint and a return to direct talks under the agreement.

Ethiopia’s military chief has accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting armed groups fighting the federal government. Eritrea and Sudan have denied the allegations, while the claims involving Egypt have not been independently established.

The talks come against the backdrop of efforts by the federal government of Somalia to strengthen relations with Ethiopia following a period of diplomatic tensions between the two neighbours. The countries have since sought closer cooperation on security, economic relations and regional stability.

President Mohamud’s visit also comes shortly after his participation in the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he held a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders on security, development and international cooperation.

The discussions with Abiy are therefore expected to carry significance beyond bilateral relations, as Somalia and Ethiopia navigate renewed security challenges in the Horn of Africa and the risk of the Tigray conflict drawing in neighbouring countries.