Djibouti: An Ethiopian delegation led by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has arrived in Djibouti for an official visit focused on regional affairs, peace and security, and bilateral cooperation.
The delegation was welcomed by President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh of Djibouti. The visit included a tour of the Doraleh Port, a key regional logistics hub.
The engagement takes place as Djibouti continues to strengthen its role as a strategic maritime and trade gateway in the Horn of Africa. In this context, Egypt has recently announced its interest in investing in Doraleh Port. End of last year, Djibouti and Egypt signed three agreements, including a project to develop a 100-megawatt green port facility at the Doraleh Container Terminal.
Ethiopia currently relies on Djibouti’s ports for the majority of its import and export activities, underscoring the importance of sustained bilateral coordination.
Relations between Ethiopia and Djibouti have experienced moments of strain following the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland in 2024. While Addis Ababa has continued to rely on Djibouti as its primary maritime gateway, the agreement introduced new regional dynamics around port access and connectivity. Former Somaliland president Muse Bihi Abdi has previously said that Djibouti expressed discomfort with the MoU, citing concerns that Ethiopia could, over time, reduce its reliance on Djibouti’s ports.
