Why Hassan Sheikh met Ethiopia's PM Abiy Ahmed

ADDIS ABABA - Estranged Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud returned to Addis Ababa, Sunday, amid tensions within Jubaland state, just days after visiting Kismayo, the regional administrative capital of the region, in an initiative supported by Kenya.

A brief by Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office stated that Mohamud was in Ethiopia for discussions about “bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest," given that both countries have worked closely on matters of security and development.

Villa Somalia, in its statement, said the two leaders held discussions on “strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing developmental cooperation based on good neighborliness, mutual respect, and shared prosperity, while upholding the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of both nations.”

But impeccable sources claim Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Ethiopia following a meeting that was hastily convened to discuss the ongoing rifts in Jubaland and the quest by Somaliland to push for statehood.

Rashid Abdi, a security analyst on the Horn of Africa, corroborated the sources, stating that the trip was informed by plans to detach Gedo from Jubaland, and Somaliland leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, also known as Irro, planned a visit to Ethiopia.

He said: " The trip is meant to block a planned visit to Addis by Somaliland President Irro." " He is seeking Ethiopian support for Mogadishu's plan to detach Gedo from Jubaland, orchestrate regime change in Kismayo."

Reports of Mohamud's plan to annex Gedo from Jubaland by creating a parallel administration have rent the air for some time, with Kenya and Ethiopia opposing the move. Mohamud is fighting to topple Jubaland leader Ahmed Madobe.

Despite the meeting between Madobe and President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud last week, which was brokered by Kenya, tensions still remain high with no tangible solution arrived. Talks have been going on, but all indications are that Mohamud is not ready to recognize Madobe.

Over the weekend, intelligence officials from Ethiopia reportedly visited Doolow in Gedo, where they warned Somalia authorities against creating a parallel administration. To Addis Ababa, this move would fuel instability in the region.

For Somaliland, Ethiopia had signed an agreement to acquire 20 kilometres of the Red Sea in Exchange for recognition of Somaliland. However, the plan collapsed after Somalia officially complained, leading to a temporary truce brokered by Turkey.

GAROWE ONLINE