Djibouti has expressed concern over Somalia’s growing relations with Eritrea, following a formal complaint to Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh raised issues about Eritrean influence and a recent summit held in Asmara. Djibouti is worried this shift could weaken its regional standing amid ongoing tensions with Eritrea.
In recent developments, Djibouti has voiced its apprehensions regarding the strengthening ties between Somalia and Eritrea. Following a meeting between Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Djibouti’s President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, a formal complaint was submitted concerning this evolving relationship. Djibouti’s government is particularly worried about the increasing influence of Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki over Somalia, which poses potential risks to Djibouti’s regional standing.
President Guelleh has directly expressed his concerns over the recent tripartite summit hosted in Eritrea that included Somalia, Egypt, and Eritrea. He questioned the rationale behind holding the meeting in Asmara rather than in Mogadishu, reflecting Djibouti’s unease regarding its neighbor’s growing ties with Eritrea. This summit has intensified Djibouti’s worries regarding Somalia’s shifting foreign policy.
Long-standing tensions exist between Djibouti and Eritrea, primarily stemming from territorial disputes. Consequently, Djibouti is apprehensive that a closer relationship between Somalia and Eritrea could further weaken its influence in the region, which has been precarious for years. Since President Hassan Sheikh took office, Somalia’s foreign policy shifts have led to notable instability in its relations with Djibouti and neighboring Ethiopia.
Djibouti’s concerns regarding Somalia’s burgeoning relationship with Eritrea highlight the complexities of regional dynamics in the Horn of Africa. The apprehensions raised by President Guelleh underscore longstanding tensions and territorial disputes with Eritrea, as well as the strategic implications of Somalia’s foreign policy under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. As this situation evolves, the impact on Djibouti’s regional influence remains to be seen.
Original Source: garoweonline.com
