MOGADISHU — Ethiopia’s intelligence chief Redwan Hussein arrived in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on Tuesday on an unannounced visit, carrying what officials described as an important message from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, amid heightened regional tensions in the Horn of Africa.
Redwan, head of Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service, held talks with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the presidential palace, where he delivered the message on behalf of the Ethiopian leader, Somali officials said.
The Somali presidency did not immediately disclose details of the message or the outcome of the meeting. However, diplomatic sources told AFP that discussions focused on security cooperation, bilateral relations and the broader regional situation.
During his stay in Mogadishu, Redwan also met with Mahad Mohamed Salad, director of Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), holding a separate closed-door meeting at the agency’s headquarters. No official statement was issued on the substance of those talks.
The surprise visit comes at a sensitive time for the Horn of Africa, as the region faces complex security and diplomatic challenges.
It also follows days after Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh hosted Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy in Djibouti, underscoring intensified diplomatic engagement among regional leaders in recent days.