Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and the Foreign Minister of Djibouti, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, met in Addis Ababa on Thursday for talks on strengthening ties between the two neighboring nations.
In a statement released after the meeting, Prime Minister Abiy said he had welcomed Minister Youssouf to his office, where the Djiboutian diplomat conveyed a message from President Ismail Omar Guelleh.
“I welcomed Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, the Foreign Minister of Djibouti, to my office this morning. Minister Youssouf came bearing a message from President Ismail Omar Guelleh,” the Prime Minister stated.
“Such exchanges serve as vital channels for dialogue and cooperation, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration on bilateral and regional matters of shared interest.”
While no specific details were provided on the substance of the discussions, the meeting appears aimed at enhancing cooperation across a range of issues affecting the relations between Ethiopia and Djibouti.
The two countries have close historical ties, with landlocked Ethiopia relying on Djiboutian ports for vital import and export trade corridors. Partnerships on economic matters, as well as regional security and stability, are likely to have featured prominently.
Djibouti’s strategic location also renders it an important player in the geopolitics of the Horn of Africa region. As Ethiopia continues its economic reforms and reintegration into the international community, nurturing strong relations with Djibouti takes on increased significance.
Thursday’s meeting comes amid efforts by both nations to attract greater foreign investment and explore new economic opportunities together. In 2020, they revived talks on swap of territories along their shared border.
For Prime Minister Abiy, who won the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for restarting peace talks with Eritrea, dialogue with Djibouti aligns with his policy of promoting regional reconciliation and economic integration.
While details remain scant, the meeting underscores the importance both nations attach to fostering closer bilateral cooperation across a range of key shared interests in the Horn of Africa.
