Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrived in Djibouti’s capital, Djibouti City, on Sunday for talks with President Ismail Omar Guelleh, following a recent thaw in relations between the two countries.

In a post on X, Abiy said he had been “warmly received” by Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh, adding that their discussions covered geopolitical developments, regional peace and security, and closer bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade, logistics, and development. He said the talks reaffirmed a shared commitment to stability, economic integration, and mutual prosperity.

The visit comes amid regional tensions following Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland on access to the sea and Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland, a move Djibouti has described as a threat to regional stability. It also follows Egypt’s signing of agreements with Djibouti on 28 December covering maritime transport, logistics, and renewable energy, against the backdrop of a long-running diplomatic dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt over control of Nile River waters.

Abel Abate Demissie, an associate fellow with the Africa Programme at Chatham House, said Ethiopia and Djibouti have recently held markedly divergent views over Ethiopia’s efforts to diversify its sea access, port fees, infrastructure and logistics in Djibouti, as well as their respective policies towards Somaliland.

He said Abiy’s visit was aimed at countering what he described as a growing Egyptian footprint in Djibouti following the Cairo-Djibouti port agreements.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, accompanied by a delegation, visited Djibouti’s Doraleh Multi-Purpose Port and Horizon Oil Terminal to observe operations supporting the handling of Ethiopian cargo.