Djibouti City, December 29, 2024 – Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Gedion Timothewos, arrived in Djibouti on an official visit, underscoring the close relationship between the two neighboring countries. Dr. Gedion, who was joined by a high-level delegation, was warmly welcomed at Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport by Djiboutian Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.

The visit is a key moment for Ethiopia and Djibouti, two nations deeply connected through trade, culture, and security cooperation. Talks are set to focus on strengthening economic collaboration, expanding trade, and tackling regional security challenges in the Horn of Africa.

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the importance of the visit, sharing on platform X:

“Ethiopian Foreign Minister Dr. Gedion Timothewos has arrived in Djibouti to engage in bilateral discussions. The Ethiopian delegation will meet with senior Djiboutian officials to further strengthen the historic ties between our nations.”

Djibouti’s Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf echoed these sentiments, saying:

“It was an honor to welcome my Ethiopian brother, Dr. Gedion Timothewos, to Djibouti last night. This visit is a valuable opportunity to deepen the strong relationship between our two countries.”

Ethiopia and Djibouti share a critical economic relationship. Djibouti’s ports are essential for Ethiopia, handling around 90% of its trade as the landlocked nation’s main gateway to international markets. At the same time, Ethiopia’s economic activity contributes significantly to Djibouti’s economy through trade, transit fees, and infrastructure projects.

Projects like the Addis Ababa–Djibouti railway have made trade between the two nations faster and more efficient, reinforcing their economic interdependence and ensuring smoother transport of goods and people.

Security remains a top priority for Ethiopia and Djibouti. Last week, the two nations agreed to establish a joint committee to tackle shared challenges such as terrorism, smuggling, and cross-border crimes. This initiative follows high-level talks in Addis Ababa between Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) and Djibouti’s Intelligence Agency.

The new committee is expected to improve border management and intelligence-sharing, which are vital for maintaining stability in the Horn of Africa, a region often affected by geopolitical tensions and extremist threats.

The visit comes at a time when collaboration between Ethiopia and Djibouti is crucial for promoting peace and growth in the region. With talks underway, both countries are expected to announce agreements that will further strengthen their partnership in trade, infrastructure, and security.

This visit not only reinforces the bond between Ethiopia and Djibouti but also serves as an example of how neighboring countries can work together to address shared challenges and build a more stable and prosperous future for the Horn of Africa.