The foreign ministers of Somalia and Ethiopia are scheduled to meet in Ankara next week to address the ongoing disputes over a port deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland. This deal, which was signed earlier this year, involves Ethiopia leasing 20 km of coastline from Somaliland in exchange for recognizing its independence. The agreement has led to heightened tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, with Somalia deeming the deal illegal and taking retaliatory measures, including expelling the Ethiopian ambassador and threatening to remove Ethiopian troops stationed in Somalia.
Turkiye’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, has been actively involved in mediating the talks between the two East African nations. Following a previous meeting in Ankara, another round of discussions is set to take place next week. Fidan emphasized that resolving the tensions would require Ethiopia’s acknowledgment of Somalia’s territorial integrity and political sovereignty. Turkiye has become a key ally to Somalia, investing in various sectors and recently signing a defense and economic cooperation agreement with Somalia.
