Ethiopian intelligence chief makes surprise visit to Mogadishu amid regional tensions

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Ethiopia’s intelligence chief arrived in the Somali capital Tuesday on an unannounced visit to deliver a message from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, officials said.

Redwan Hussein, the head of Ethiopia's National Intelligence and Security Service, met with Mohamud at the presidential palace, Villa Somalia, shortly after his arrival. While the specific contents of the message have not been made public, the high-level visit comes at a time of significant diplomatic friction in the Horn of Africa.

As part of his trip, Hussein also held talks with Mahad Salad, the director of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), at the agency’s headquarters. Details of their discussion remain undisclosed.

The surprise visit follows a meeting in Djibouti last week between President Ismail Omar Guelleh and the Ethiopian prime minister. It also coincides with a fresh diplomatic crisis triggered by reports of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, a self-declared independent region that Somalia maintains is part of its sovereign territory. The reported move by Israel has drawn sharp condemnation from Mogadishu and several international partners.

Regional analysts suggest the mission may be an attempt to de-escalate tensions that have simmered since early last year, when Ethiopia signed a controversial maritime memorandum of understanding with Somaliland. That deal, which sought to grant landlocked Ethiopia access to the Red Sea in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland, was denounced by the Somali government as an act of aggression and a violation of its sovereignty.

Neither government has issued an official statement regarding the outcome of Tuesday's meetings, but the presence of Ethiopia's top spy chief in Mogadishu indicates a potential reopening of direct communication channels between the two neighbors.

GAROWE ONLINE