Somalia, Ethiopia, and Djibouti Hold Trilateral Talks on Regional Security and Middle East Conflict

The leaders of Somalia, Ethiopia, and Djibouti held trilateral talks in Djibouti to discuss regional security, counter-terrorism, Somalia’s democracy, and the economic impact of the Middle East war. They condemned Iranian attacks on Gulf countries and emphasized cooperation to ensure stability, boost investment, and strengthen infrastructure in the Horn of Africa.

The leaders of Somalia, Ethiopia, and Djibouti convened in Djibouti late Wednesday for high-level trilateral talks to discuss a wide range of issues affecting regional security, economic stability, and international developments, particularly the ongoing war in the Middle East. The meeting brought together Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who were accompanied by senior officials and high-level delegations that arrived earlier in the day to participate in detailed discussions.
According to Somali Information Minister Daud Aweis, the leaders’ deliberations focused on multiple critical areas, including regional security, counter-terrorism measures, and the strengthening of Somalia’s democratic institutions. They also addressed strategies to ensure the stability of the Horn of Africa, which is a region of strategic geopolitical importance due to its proximity to the Middle East and key maritime trade routes. The discussions further explored avenues to boost investment, enhance mobility, and improve infrastructure across the three countries, reflecting a shared commitment to economic integration and regional development.
A statement from the Djiboutian government emphasized that the meeting examined “peace and security in the region, the state of development of its economic integration, resolutions of shared interests for all three countries and the prevailing situation in the subregion,” highlighting the broad scope of the agenda and the shared interests of the three nations in maintaining stability and fostering cooperation.
The timing of the meeting coincided with the continuing US-Israeli conflict against Iran, which began on February 28 and has resulted in a high number of civilian casualties and significant disruptions to global energy markets. The conflict has driven oil prices higher, with serious economic implications for countries that rely heavily on imported energy or are affected by global market volatility. During the talks, both Somalia and Djibouti condemned Iranian attacks on Gulf nations, signaling their opposition to aggression in the region and their support for international stability.
Djibouti and Ethiopia have been key contributors to the multinational peacekeeping mission in Somalia, which is focused on countering the terrorist organization Al Shabab. Their participation underscores the strategic importance of collaboration in regional security efforts and highlights the ongoing challenges posed by extremist groups operating in the Horn of Africa.
The trilateral discussions further underscored the leaders’ shared interest in mitigating the regional and economic effects of the Middle East conflict, ensuring peace and security, and promoting cooperative development initiatives. By aligning on security, economic, and diplomatic strategies, the three countries demonstrated a commitment to addressing both immediate threats and long-term opportunities in the Horn of Africa, seeking to reinforce stability and resilience across the subregion in the face of external pressures and internal challenges.