Hassan Sheikh, the President of Somalia, is expected to meet with Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia. Ethiopia and Somalia have been at loggerhead since January this year when Ethiopia signed a controversial Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland.
Kenyan President William Ruto has announced that Abiy Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh could soon hold a meeting. He said that he himself, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni were trying to hold a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President of Somalia Hassan Sheikh. He made these remarks during a meeting of East African Community (EAC). The East African Community is a an intergovernmental organization in East Africa with 8 countries as members. Kenyan President is current chairman of the organization. Somalia is the newest member of EAC. Ethiopia is not an EAC member but it has been showing interest in joining the bloc.
The Kenyan President further said the security and stability of Somalia is vital for security and stability in the Horn of Africa.
President of Somalia has been refusing to hold any direct meeting with the Ethiopian Prime Minister since January. President Hassan Sheikh is fighting internal political challenges with two federal member states, Jubaland and Puntland, refusing to recognize him as the President. It seems that his weakening internal position made him review his earlier position about meeting with the Ethiopian Prime Minister.
Ethiopia and Somalia have held two round of talks this year under the auspices of Turkey in Ankara but talks ended with no progress.
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