Somalia says President Hassan Sheikh’s Jigjiga visit focused on unity and security talks

Somalia’s presidency has announced that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud travelled to Jigjiga on Saturday for high-level talks with Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, focusing on political and security challenges facing the region, with national unity identified as a central priority.

In a statement, the presidency said the discussions were aimed at addressing “shared security concerns, regional political dynamics and ways to reinforce cooperation among neighbouring countries” amid ongoing instability in the Horn of Africa.

The statement added that Villa Somalia is prioritising diplomatic efforts to strengthen Somalia’s unity and sovereignty, including enhanced coordination with regional partners and joint approaches to tackling cross-border security threats. The presidency emphasised that these engagements form part of Somalia’s broader foreign policy agenda centred on stability, cooperation and the protection of national interests.

The statement underscored the importance of constructive regional dialogue and collaboration in addressing complex political and security issues that transcend national borders.

The Jigjiga meetings come at a time of heightened focus on regional diplomacy, as Somalia seeks to consolidate internal unity while working closely with neighbouring states to promote peace, security and long-term stability in the Horn of Africa.

Mustaqbal