Thursday, March 12, 2026
Djibouti (HOL) — The presidents of Djibouti and Somalia and the prime minister of Ethiopia met Wednesday in Djibouti city for a high-level trilateral summit focused on regional security, economic integration and shared geopolitical challenges in the Horn of Africa.
The meeting brought together Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The talks were held at President Guelleh’s private residence in Haramuus during an iftar dinner.
According to officials, discussions focused on the overall situation in the Horn of Africa, including peace and security, economic cooperation and the strengthening of regional integration. The leaders emphasized consultation and coordination in addressing common challenges facing the subregion.
During the talks, the three leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation based on mutual interests, with particular focus on security coordination, economic development and regional integration.
Abiy was accompanied by a senior delegation including Deputy Prime Minister Aden Farah, Finance Minister Ahmed Shide, Minister of Peace Mohammed Edris, National Security Chief Aden Radwan Hussein, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Berhanu Tsegaye, Chief of Cabinet Betre Mengistu and Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Djibouti Legesse Tulu Adera.
President Hassan Sheikh’s delegation included Defense Minister Ahmed Moalim Faqi, Ports Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, Aviation Minister Mohamed Farah Nur, Public Works Minister Ayoub Ismail Yusuf and State Minister for Security Mohamed Ali Haga.
President Guelleh was joined by Djibouti’s Minister of Economy and Finance Ilyas Moussa Dawaleh, Foreign Minister Abdoulkader Houssein Omar, Defense Minister Hassan Omar Mohamed, National Security Chief Hassan Said Kaireh and Djibouti’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Abdi Mahamoud Aybeh.
The trilateral summit is part of a series of high-level consultations aimed at defining a new strategic direction for cooperation in the Horn of Africa.
The meeting comes at a sensitive time in the region. Ethiopia has been actively pursuing access to a sea route, while Djibouti has sought to ease tensions between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu, particularly over political issues linked to Somaliland.
