Sunday 11 August 2024 {HMC} A delegation from the Somali government has arrived in Turkey ahead of high-level talks with Ethiopia aimed at calming the dispute over the maritime agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland.
The second phase of the talks, which opens on Monday in Ankara, is a sign of Turkey’s mediation efforts. This follows Ethiopia’s signing of a 50-year agreement in January to lease 20 kilometers of Somaliland’s coast.
Speaking on the phone with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed that Turkey is committed to de-escalating the tension between Ethiopia and Somalia. He urged Ethiopia to take steps to address Somalia’s concerns, which he believes would go a long way in the mediation process.
Turkey has assured Somalia that its ongoing efforts are aimed at ensuring the unity and independence of Somalia.
Turkey, a close ally of Somalia, remains engaged in diplomatic negotiations. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who organized the first round of talks in Ankara last month, is once again leading the discussions.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia, Ambassador Ahmed Macallin Fiqi, who is leading the Somali delegation, has stated that Ethiopia is not ready to withdraw from the agreement, which he argues violates Somalia’s sovereignty and was entered into with Somaliland.
However, Turkey seeks to resolve the conflict by allowing Ethiopia access to the sea through Somalia, while also respecting the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
