Leaders of Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti inaugurate tourism project in Ethiopia’s Somali region
The three leaders toured newly developed tourist sites across the Shabelle area of the Somali Region, according to officials accompanying the delegations.
Mogadishu (Somali Report) — The leaders of Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti on Saturday jointly inaugurated the Shabeely Resort, a major tourism and development project in Ethiopia’s Somali Region to boost economic cooperation.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh said the flagship project, developed under the “Dine for Generations” initiative will promote regional integration, investment and cross-border connectivity.
The resort project spans about 385 hectares and is designed to anchor a broader strategy to expand tourism, trade and infrastructure links in the region, Ethiopian officials said.
Following the inauguration ceremony in Jigjiga, the three leaders toured newly developed tourist sites across the Shabelle area of the Somali Region, according to officials accompanying the delegations.
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Ethiopian authorities say the development is part of a long-term effort to reposition the Horn of Africa as a hub for economic cooperation, despite decades of conflict, political fragmentation and chronic underinvestment.
The high-profile visit comes amid a gradual improvement in relations between Somalia and Ethiopia after tensions earlier last year, triggered by a controversial agreement Ethiopia signed with Somaliland, the self-declared republic in northern Somalia. Mogadishu strongly opposed the deal, arguing it violated Somalia’s sovereignty, before diplomatic efforts helped ease the standoff.
President Hassan Sheikh’s presence at the Jigjiga event follows his absence last week from ceremonies in Addis Ababa marking the 90th anniversary of the Ethiopian Air Force, an absence that drew quiet notice in diplomatic circles.
Saturday’s visit marks Hassan Sheikh’s ninth trip to Ethiopia since the start of his second term nearly four years ago, underscoring the central role Ethiopia continues to play in Somalia’s regional diplomacy as both countries navigate shifting alliances and security challenges across the Horn of Africa.
About the Author
Osman Hassan is a Senior Editor at the Somali Report based in Nairobi with over 15 years of experience in journalism. He has worked with local and international media outlets in Somalia and is an award-winning journalist. His reporting focuses on politics, security, and regional affairs in the Horn of Africa.