Ethiopia and Somalia held their first round of technical talks in Ankara, Turkey, to resolve a dispute related to Ethiopia’s recent agreement with Somaliland. The talks come after concerns about sovereignty issues and aim to establish a framework that upholds Somalia’s territorial claims while granting Ethiopia access to the sea. Continued negotiations are scheduled for March.
Ethiopia and Somalia convened their first round of technical discussions in Ankara, Turkey, in an effort to address a dispute originating from a recent agreement between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland. The Turkish Foreign Ministry confirmed the meeting, indicating that it aimed to mitigate rising tensions within the Horn of Africa, a region already marked by instability.
The contention arose after Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland last year, which permitted the lease of coastal land for the establishment of a marine force base. Ethiopia would also become the first country to formally acknowledge Somaliland’s independence, a move that Somalia contends violates its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In December, the Presidents of Somalia and Ethiopia met in Turkey, where they agreed to initiate technical talks that would honor Somalia’s territorial claims while permitting Ethiopia access to maritime resources. During the recent negotiations, delegations led by Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos and Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Mohamed Omar, expressed a commitment to the principles outlined in their earlier Ankara Declaration.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry disclosed that the delegations commenced substantive discussions to actualize the agreement outlined in December’s summit. Plans for the next round of talks are set for March, reinforcing Turkey’s role as a mediator in this complex geopolitical situation.
Turkey’s involvement is underscored by significant investments in Somalia, including the establishment of its largest overseas military base. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia over thirty years ago, is still not recognized as an independent state by the African Union or the United Nations, further complicating the region’s political landscape.
In summary, Ethiopia and Somalia have initiated technical talks in Turkey to address tensions arising from an Ethiopia-Somaliland agreement. While seeking to uphold Somalia’s territorial integrity, these discussions signify a critical step towards resolving regional disputes, with Turkey acting as a mediator. The upcoming talks in March will be pivotal in determining the future relationship between Ethiopia, Somalia, and Somaliland.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
