By The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies

Mogadishu, Somalia – In a surprise move, William J. Burns, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), undertook an unannounced visit to Mogadishu on Wednesday, engaging in discussions with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The meeting transpired near Mogadishu airport, just before President Mohamud’s scheduled trip to Uganda.

Sources close to the Somali president, who disclosed information to VOA’s Somali service, revealed that Burns and Mohamud delved into various pressing matters. Foremost among them was the aftermath of the recent agreement between Ethiopia and the self-declared republic of Somaliland. The discussions encompassed the implications of this agreement on the broader security landscape of the Horn of Africa region.

The agreement has sparked tensions, with Somalia interpreting it as an encroachment on its sovereignty over Somaliland. Simultaneously, the United States is expressing growing concern about the escalating regional discord.

Burns’ visit coincides with emerging reports suggesting that Somalia is contemplating granting Turkey rights to establish a military base in the Red Sea. If verified, such a development is likely to draw attention in Washington, intensifying existing alliances and stoking regional rivalries.

As of now, neither the CIA nor the White House has provided public commentary on the purpose of the CIA Director’s discreet journey to Mogadishu. However, the visit underscores the profound interest of the U.S. government in the political dynamics unfolding in Somalia and its neighboring nations.

The unanticipated diplomatic move by the CIA Director raises speculation about the intricate web of geopolitical considerations at play in the Horn of Africa. Observers are keenly watching for further developments and official statements regarding the outcomes of Burns’ meetings in Mogadishu.