Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrived in Djibouti today amid regional dynamics following the recent recognition of breakaway Somaliland by Israel.
The Prime Minister was welcomed by his Djiboutian counterpart Ismael Omar Guelleh.
Prime Minister Abiy said that the two leaders discussed on ranges of issues including on geopolitical dynamics, regional peace, and bilateral cooperation on trade, logistics and development.
The Somaliland Factor
The visit comes at a time of heightened regional friction. Djibouti, situated on one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors, has taken a hardline stance against Israel’s “audacious” recognition of the breakaway territory. In a definitive move to uphold Somalia’s territorial integrity, Djibouti recently expelled Somaliland’s diplomatic corps.
In contrast, the Ethiopian government has maintained a conspicuous public silence on the matter. While the official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office focused on “bilateral cooperation and trade,” regional analysts believe the Israel-Somaliland dynamic was the “elephant in the room” during the closed-door sessions.
Djibouti which is situated on the world’s most critical maritime route categorically rejected the recognition, and expelled Somaliland’s diplomatic corps in show of support to Somalia’s sovereignty over Somaliland.
But Ethiopian government refrained from publicly sharing its stance on the matter.
Djibouti and landlocked Ethiopia have reached to a high level of economic integration, and interdependence.
Nearly 95 percent of Ethiopia import-export trade relies on Djiboutian ports. This relationship is equally vital to Djibouti, as port-related fee accounted for approximately 25 percent of its GDP.
