Ethiopia and Somalia have commenced technical talks in Ankara, Turkey, aimed at addressing territorial disputes caused by a deal involving Somaliland. The talks are part of a mediation effort by Turkey to prevent conflict, following Ethiopia’s controversial military base agreement with Somaliland. Both nations are committed to respecting Somalia’s sovereignty while considering Ethiopia’s access to the sea.
In Ankara, Turkey, top diplomats from Ethiopia and Somalia convened for the first round of technical discussions aimed at addressing a dispute arising from a recent agreement involving Somaliland. This engagement is part of Turkey’s ongoing mediation efforts to mitigate potential conflicts in a region characterized by tension due to a memorandum of understanding signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland last year.
The memorandum allows Ethiopia to lease land along Somaliland’s coastline for military purposes, in exchange for Ethiopia recognizing Somaliland’s independence. This arrangement has been contested by Somalia, which claims it undermines its sovereignty. To find a resolution that respects Somalia’s territorial claims while granting Ethiopia maritime access, the two nations agreed to these technical talks following a meeting in December.
The delegations were led by Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos and Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Mohamed Omar. The Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed that both parties are committed to the principles established in the Ankara Declaration from their previous discussions. The ministry noted that substantive steps are being taken to turn this agreement into actionable outcomes.
The next round of negotiations is planned for March. Turkey’s involvement is significant since it has invested extensively in Somalia, including establishing its largest overseas military base. Somaliland, which declared independence over 30 years ago, remains unrecognized by both the African Union and the United Nations, with Somalia continuing to assert its claim over the region.
The initial technical discussions between Ethiopia and Somalia in Turkey mark a pivotal step towards resolving territorial disputes, particularly those related to the controversial agreement with Somaliland. Both nations exhibit commitment to finding common ground while maintaining Somalia’s sovereignty. Future negotiations slated for March will be crucial in advancing these discussions under Turkey’s mediation.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
