Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrived in Djibouti early Thursday morning for what his office described as regional consultations, marking an unscheduled diplomatic visit amid ongoing tensions over Red Sea access.
The Prime Minister's Office announced the arrival of Abiy and a high-level delegation in the early hours of Thursday, according to Fana Broadcasting. The office said the visit aims to engage in discussions on regional matters but provided no specific agenda.
Photos shared by the Prime Minister's Office showed the delegation's arrival, though officials did not identify other members of the Ethiopian team. No duration was announced for the visit.
The timing of the visit comes as Ethiopia continues seeking alternative sea access routes following its controversial memorandum of understanding with Somaliland in January 2024. Djibouti's Port of Djibouti handles approximately 95 percent of Ethiopia's maritime trade, making the relationship critical for the landlocked nation's economy.
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Recent months have seen diplomatic strains between Addis Ababa and Djibouti over port fees and Ethiopia's efforts to diversify its maritime access through ports in Berbera, Somaliland, and other regional facilities.
Ethiopia's dependence on Djibouti for sea access has been a defining feature of the relationship since Eritrea's independence in 1993 cut off Ethiopian access to Assab and Massawa ports. The Port of Djibouti generates significant revenue for the small Horn of Africa nation while serving as Ethiopia's primary gateway for imports and exports. Ethiopia's recent push for naval access and diversified port arrangements has introduced new dynamics to the traditionally stable partnership.
