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Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilaahi, popularly known as Cirro, arrived in Addis Ababa on Tuesday for an official visit following an invitation from Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The Somaliland Presidency confirmed that President Cirro was warmly received at Bole International Airport by Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timotheos, along with other senior government officials.
The reception was described as a “high-protocol welcome,” with the delegation hosted in the airport’s VIP lounge before being escorted to their accommodation in the Ethiopian capital. The visit marks President Cirro’s first official trip to Ethiopia since assuming office earlier this year, reflecting the growing engagement between Hargeisa and Addis Ababa.
According to Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visit aims to strengthen cooperation in several key areas, including trade, cargo transport, regional security, and sustainable development. Both sides are expected to discuss ways to boost economic ties and enhance connectivity between the two neighbors, which share long-standing cultural and economic links.
“The visit provides an opportunity to discuss important issues related to security and the regional situation,” the ministry said, adding that it sets “a new direction for cooperation and connectivity between Addis Ababa and Hargeisa.” Somaliland also described the trip as a symbolic moment that underscores the two sides’ shared interest in regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
Ethiopia has long been a key partner for Somaliland, serving as one of its most significant trade gateways despite the region’s lack of international recognition. Landlocked Ethiopia relies on Somaliland’s Berbera Port for some of its imports and exports, and both governments have previously discussed expanding infrastructure and trade routes to deepen their economic partnership.
Analysts see Cirro’s visit as an effort to reaffirm Somaliland’s diplomatic and economic ties with Ethiopia while opening discussions on future collaboration in development and regional integration. The timing of the visit is also notable, as Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is currently in Ethiopia for separate talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The overlapping visits highlight the delicate regional dynamics in the Horn of Africa, where both Mogadishu and Hargeisa seek to strengthen relations with Addis Ababa for different strategic reasons.
While Somaliland operates as a self-declared independent state, it continues to seek international recognition and partnerships to support its governance and development ambitions. Its leaders view Ethiopia as an essential partner in advancing these goals. Meanwhile, Ethiopia has often maintained a pragmatic approach, engaging with both Somaliland and the Federal Government of Somalia to safeguard its political and economic interests in the region.
President Cirro’s trip is expected to include meetings with senior Ethiopian officials and discussions on regional security cooperation, infrastructure projects, and trade facilitation. Observers believe the visit could lay the groundwork for a deeper partnership focused on mutual growth and stability in the Horn of Africa.
In a statement, Somaliland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the visit “is not just a state visit, but a message that carries profound lessons about our historical relationship and our shared aspiration for stability and development.” The ministry added that both sides are looking to strengthen collaboration based on mutual respect and common interests, building on decades of neighborly relations.
President Cirro’s visit to Addis Ababa represents a significant diplomatic engagement aimed at reinforcing Somaliland’s regional ties and advancing cooperation with one of its closest allies. It is also a signal of the shifting political landscape in the Horn of Africa, where regional partnerships continue to play a vital role in shaping peace and development.