Hassan Sheikh Visits Eritrea to Strengthen Relations and Address Ethiopia’s Growing Influence

In Asmara, Eritrea, on October 9, 2024, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki held bilateral meetings to discuss enhancing military cooperation and strengthening their relationship amidst regional shifts. Credit: Villa Somalia

Somalia’s leader, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, touched down in Asmara, Eritrea, this past Wednesday for a formal visit. Since taking the helm in 2022, this marks his fourth voyage. It’s likely geared toward boosting a developing alliance among Somalia, Eritrea, and Egypt, a trio united against Ethiopia’s growing presence in the area. Upon arrival, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, along with top Eritrean officials, warmly greeted him at Asmara International Airport.

This journey follows a string of high-profile gatherings among Egypt, Eritrea, and Somalia lately.

A central focus of Mohamud’s visit is intensifying military collaboration with Eritrea. Eritrea has been instrumental in training Somali military personnel since 2019, especially infantry and mechanized units. These forces have played a crucial role in the Somali government’s campaign against Al-Shabaab insurgents, with operations reportedly eliminating over 1,650 militants in recent months.

Eritrea’s interest in this coalition stems from regional security worries and age-old competitions. Remember, Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993, and the tensions simmered further during the Ethiopia-Eritrea border clash from 1998 to 2000. Even after a fragile peace was brokered in 2018, relations haven’t been all rainbows and unicorns. Ethiopia’s attempts to reclaim access to the sea have especially rattled Eritrea.

The bond between Eritrea and Somalia highlights a broader repositioning in the Horn of Africa, where alliances are continually shifting.

Somalia, alongside Eritrea and Egypt, has taken a firm stance against Ethiopia’s ambitions, particularly after Ethiopia inked a contentious Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with North Western State of Somalia. The MoU grants Ethiopia access to North Western State of Somalia’s coast in exchange for a nod to North Western State of Somalia’s independence, a move Mogadishu sees as a slap in the face to Somalia’s sovereignty.

At the recent UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, alongside his Egyptian and Eritrean counterparts, reaffirmed their commitment to regional stability and security.

Mohamud has been vocal about Somalia’s discontent with the MoU, even musing about booting Ethiopian peacekeepers from the African Union-led mission if things don’t go his way. This situation comes as Ethiopia’s sway in the region is on the descent, with countries like Egypt and Eritrea throwing more weight behind Somalia’s territorial claims. Egypt, supporting Somalia’s defense, has shipped significant military aid, including artillery and anti-aircraft gear, to Mogadishu in recent months. This marks the heftiest military support Egypt has channeled to Somalia in ages, much to Ethiopia’s dismay.

The budding military alliance between Somalia and Egypt has made Ethiopia even lonelier, and relationships with its neighbors sour over spats like building the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the North Western State of Somalia MoU. Aligned with Egypt and Eritrea, Somalia aims to counter Ethiopia’s moves for regional domination, especially over Red Sea access and strategic maritime corridors.

Eritrea, perched strategically along the Red Sea near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, plays a pivotal role in regional security. Both Eritrea and Egypt have raised eyebrows about the safety of the shipping lanes in the Red Sea. Last month, Egyptian intelligence head Kamal Abbas and Foreign Minister Abdelatty swung by Asmara to chat about securing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and bringing stability back to the Red Sea.

Since Eritrea’s breakaway in 1993, Ethiopia has yearned to regain a foot in the Red Sea. However, Somalia’s stand against Ethiopia’s naval dreams in North Western State of Somalia has cranked up the heat, with the Horn of Africa now split into two main camps—one helmed by Ethiopia and the UAE, while Egypt, Somalia, and Eritrea head the other.

Edited by: Ali Musa

alimusa@axadletimes.com

Axadle international–Monitoring