Tuesday 13, August 2024 {HMC} The indirect talks between the delegations of Somalia and Ethiopia, held in Ankara, Turkey, have broken down, reportedly ending without any progress.
Reports indicate that a third meeting has been scheduled to take place in Ankara. The reasons for the failure to reach an agreement in the Turkey-mediated negotiations have not been confirmed.
Sources say Ethiopia remains firm on its position not to withdraw from the agreement it reached with the separatist administration of Somaliland to access Somalia’s waters.
The Somali delegation, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Ahmed Macalin Fiqi, has reportedly stood firm in their stance, refusing to engage in face-to-face negotiations with Ethiopia until it withdraws from the agreement signed in January 2024.
Additional reports suggest that Ethiopia has proposed first sitting down with Somalia to reach a bilateral agreement on accessing Somali waters.
It is expected that the delegations from both countries will issue a statement indicating that the talks will continue, with a third phase of negotiations planned.
