MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Ethiopia’s intelligence chief, Ridwan Hussein, held closed-door talks on Tuesday with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud shortly after arriving in Mogadishu, a day after Somalia said it had terminated all agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Caasimada Online news website reported.
The substance of the discussions was not disclosed, but sources said the talks focused on geopolitical tensions in the Horn of Africa. Hussein also delivered a letter from Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to President Hassan Sheikh.
Hussein is also expected to meet Somalia’s intelligence chief, Mahad Salad, to discuss security cooperation and broader regional issues.
Ethiopia is a key ally of the UAE and previously sought to mediate between Somalia and Abu Dhabi in 2018, when Mogadishu, then under President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, known as Farmajo, severed ties with the Gulf state over allegations of interference in Somalia’s internal affairs.
It remains unclear whether Ethiopia is again seeking to broker talks between Somalia and the UAE, possibly at Abu Dhabi’s request. However, the arrival of one of Prime Minister Abiy’s closest aides in Mogadishu within hours of Somalia’s announcement has fuelled speculation among Somali analysts about Addis Ababa’s role in the unfolding dispute.
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