President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia arrives in the Ertrean capital Asmara in the mid-day for a working visit aimed at cementing closer ties with the two Horn of Africa neighbours.
Upon arrival at the Asmara International Airport, Presidents Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his delegation was accorded warm welcome by President Isaias Afwerki accompanied with a guard of honor.
It is President Mohamud’s second visit to Eritrea this year, the first being in January.
It comes as Mogadishu enlists the support of its neighbours over the cntroversial port deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway enclave of Somaliland which is still considered part of Somalia.
President Afwerki of Eritrea has voiced support for Somalia in its dispute with landlocked Ethiopia which is keen on securing trading access to the Red Sea.
Somalia considers Addis Ababa’s agreement with Somaliland as an ‘unwarranted encroachment” on its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The build-up to restored ties between Mogadishu and Asmara began in 2018 when the two countries signed an agreement to improve diplomatic relations following years of mutual distrust.
Other agreements ranging from cooperation in defense and security were signed in the intervening couple of years since they agreed to restore fully fledged diplomatic relations.
WN/as/APA