ISTANBUL

Ethiopia’s intelligence chief Redwan Hussein made an unannounced visit to Somalia on Tuesday to meet President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, amid heightened tensions in the Horn of Africa, Somali media reported.

Hussein met Mohamud at the presidential palace, Villa Somalia, to deliver a message from Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, though the contents were not made public, according to Somali news website Garowe Online.

He also held talks with Mahad Salad, head of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency, at the agency’s headquarters. Neither the Ethiopian nor Somali governments issued an official statement on the visit or disclosed details of the meetings.

The visit comes against the backdrop of renewed regional tensions following Israel’s announcement on Dec. 26 recognizing Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state, a move that made Tel Aviv the only country to formally recognize the breakaway region.

Somaliland has operated as a de facto self-governing entity since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991, but it has not received international recognition as a sovereign state.

Israel’s decision drew sharp criticism internationally, with opponents describing it as illegal and a threat to international peace and security.

In January 2024, Ethiopia sought new maritime access options by signing a deal with Somaliland to use the port of Berbera, prompting Somalia to accuse Addis Ababa of violating its sovereignty.

Türkiye later mediated talks between Somalia and Ethiopia, resulting in the Ankara Declaration in December 2024. Under the agreement, both sides committed to working toward bilateral arrangements that would allow Ethiopia access to the sea under Somali sovereign authority.