ANKARA, Turkey — Somalia and Ethiopia have scheduled a third round of talks to be held in Ankara on September 17, following an inconclusive second round aimed at resolving their dispute over Ethiopia’s deal with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia.
The discussions, mediated by Turkey, come after previous negotiations failed to reach an agreement on the contentious issue of Ethiopia’s access to the sea through Somaliland, which has declared independence but is not internationally recognized.
Ethiopia, seeking reliable sea access since Eritrea’s secession in 1993, signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland, sparking outrage in Somalia over sovereignty concerns.
Despite the stalemate, both nations expressed a commitment to a peaceful resolution through dialogue, with Turkey playing a pivotal role in facilitating these talks.
The upcoming round of negotiations will focus on finding a “sustainable and viable” solution, emphasizing the complexity of the issues at hand and the potential implications for regional stability in the Horn of Africa.
