Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday made a surprise visit to Addis Ababa, where he held talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on strengthening bilateral relations and promoting regional stability.

It is his second visit in less than a month, following his attendance at the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

While the details of what they discussed on his remains undisclosed, it has sparked speculation about behind-the-scenes diplomacy between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa amid ongoing regional tensions.

Prime Minister Abiy spoke on the meeting in a post on X, saying he and President Hassan Sheikh discussed “bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.”

According to a statement from Villa Somalia, the discussions focused on deepening cooperation grounded in mutual respect, good neighborliness, and shared interests.

The surprise visit comes amid recent efforts to ease tensions between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa following diplomatic strains over Ethiopia’s maritime deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland.

Both leaders emphasized dialogue and partnership as key to advancing peace and development in the Horn of Africa.