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Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki is currently visiting Cairo, with the aim of discussing bilateral relations between Egypt and Eritrea, as well as developments in the Horn of Africa region, according to sources who spoke to Zoom Africa News.

Eritrean president visits Egypt for talks

The sources added that the Eritrean president’s visit to Cairo aims to hold extensive talks between the two sides regarding developments in the Horn of Africa and the southern Red Sea region during the current period, especially in light of the geopolitical developments taking place in the region.

Regarding the Horn of Africa region, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the self-proclaimed Somaliland region and International Cooperation, Abdirahman Dahir Adam Bekale, affirmed his government’s readiness to discuss Ethiopia’s needs related to obtaining a sea outlet or using commercial ports, stressing that relations between the two sides are based on historical ties and growing common interests, within a series of political provocations practiced by both Ethiopia and the self-proclaimed Somaliland region towards neighboring countries.

In an interview with the Ethiopian newspaper The Reporter, the minister said that Somaliland fully understands Ethiopia’s need, as a landlocked country, to access sea lanes and ports that contribute to supporting its trade and economic development, stressing Hargeisa’s readiness for dialogue on this issue.

The port of Berbera is back in the spotlight as discussions about Ethiopia's maritime needs resurface.

He added that his country views Ethiopia as its closest friend and ally in the Horn of Africa region, noting that cooperation between the two sides is witnessing continuous development in various political, economic and security fields.

Bakal explained that the port of Berbera and the trade corridor linking Somaliland and Ethiopia are still available for full use by the Ethiopian side, noting that the port’s operational capacity has not yet been fully utilized, which provides additional opportunities to enhance economic and trade cooperation between the two sides.