President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia met in Asmara to discuss enhancing bilateral relations and regional stability. They emphasized the importance of Somalia’s security for the Horn of Africa and reviewed recent diplomatic agreements aimed at reducing tensions related to Ethiopia. Their talks reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation on defense and security, while addressing the need for internal solutions to regional conflicts.
On Wednesday, President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia convened at the State House in Asmara to engage in critical discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and addressing shared regional and international challenges. A statement from the Eritrean Foreign Ministry emphasized the significance of Somalia’s stability as essential for achieving lasting peace in the Horn of Africa, prompting the leaders to deliberate on actionable agendas to realize this goal.
This dialogue follows an October summit where Eritrea, Somalia, and Egypt leaders met amidst rising tensions in the region due to a controversial Ethiopian deal with Somaliland. In these meetings, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to defense, security, and diplomatic cooperation to bolster regional stability. Furthermore, discussions also touched upon an Ethiopia-Somalia agreement in Ankara, indicating a desire to resolve lingering diplomatic strains.
President Isaias highlighted the need for the region to resist external interventions that may intensify conflicts, stating that local issues must be dealt with internally. He herein underscored, “It is critical for the region to address and resolve its own challenges.” Meanwhile, President Mohamud expressed gratitude for Eritrea’s vital role in training Somalia’s National Army, further reinforcing the cooperation framework between the two nations.
The leaders reiterated their alignment with the objectives established in the October Tripartite Summit, moving towards enhanced cooperation in mitigating regional instability. Notably, Egypt’s commitment to contribute troops to the AU peacekeeping mission in Somalia underscores the growing security collaboration against the backdrop of Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions. In recent years, Eritrea has provided extensive military training to Somali forces, which includes specialized instruction for various units.
This meeting marked President Mohamud’s eighth visit since his re-election in May 2022 and reflects a sustained diplomatic engagement aimed at fostering stability in the Horn of Africa.
The Horn of Africa has been a focal point of geopolitical tensions, particularly surrounding the relationships between Somalia, Eritrea, and Ethiopia. The October summit highlighted the need for collaborative defense and security measures amidst concerns raised by Ethiopia’s controversial dealings with Somaliland which could disrupt regional stability. The involvement of external powers and their interventions have historically exacerbated local conflicts and complicated the dynamics between the nations in this region. Both Eritrea and Somalia have underscored the importance of addressing internal challenges to secure long-term peace and stability.
The discussions between Presidents Afwerki and Mohamud illustrate a concerted effort to strengthen Eritrea-Somalia relations while fostering regional stability amidst ongoing tensions. By emphasizing the need for internal resolution of conflicts and cooperation in security matters, the leaders are charting a path towards a more unified approach to challenges facing the Horn of Africa. The reaffirmation of commitments established in earlier summits indicates a strong desire to create a collaborative framework for the region’s future.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
