Even though the government has yet to confirm the visit, it
signals continuation of Ethiopia’s buzzing diplomacy with neighbours
in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, IGAD, region.
The agenda of Kiir’s visit is not known immediately but photos
shared on social media shows flags of the two countries flying
side-by-side on street lights in Asmara as was the case when Ethiopian
and Somali leaders visited in recent months.
Ethiopian Prime Minister arrived in Asmara on a two-day official
visit in July during which period Ethiopia and Eritrea made peace after
two decades of hostilities.
Next to visit Asmara was Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed
Farmaajo who undertook an official three-day visit late July. In both
instances, Eritrea restored all friendly and neighborly ties with the
countries of the visiting leaders.
Eritrea’s other diplomatic disagreement is with neighbouring
Djibouti who accuse Asmara of occupying their sovereign territory and
holding their nationals as prisonsers of war.
Asmara’s agression towards Djibouti is part of the reason the United
Nations imposed an arms sanction of the country. Eritrea has dismissed
Djibouti’s claims and has yet to indicate whether it will submit to an
independent arbitration that Djibouti recently requested from the UN
Secretary General.