ANKARA, Turkey – The foreign ministers of Somalia and Ethiopia are set to meet in Ankara on August 12 for a second round of direct talks aimed at defusing heightened tensions in the Horn of Africa.
The mediated talks, which were originally scheduled for September, have been moved forward following a visit to Ethiopia by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, Somalia’s foreign minister touched down in Ankara, where he will hold a meeting with his Ethiopian counterpart.
The Turkish government is mediating the talks between the two countries, which aim to resolve a conflict that arose from a controversial deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland earlier this year.
The deal granted Ethiopia a 50-year lease on a naval base with access to Somaliland’s Berbera port, in exchange for Ethiopia’s recognition of Somaliland’s independence.
The agreement has strained relations between Somalia and Ethiopia, with Somalia denouncing the deal as illegal and threatening to kick out thousands of Ethiopian troops stationed in the country.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced the second round of talks, noting that the key aspects of the proposed settlement include ensuring Ethiopia’s access to the seas via Somalia and, in return, Ethiopia’s recognition of Somalia’s territorial integrity and political sovereignty.
The first round of direct talks between the foreign ministers of Ethiopia and Somalia took place in Ankara in early July, and the second round is expected to build on the progress made during that meeting.
The talks come as part of Turkey’s efforts to establish steps to resolve the conflict, with Ankara maintaining close ties with both countries. Turkey has publicly backed the territorial integrity of Somalia, while also enjoying close military and commercial ties with Ethiopia.
The outcome of the second round of talks will be closely watched, as a potential resolution to the conflict could have significant implications for the stability of the Horn of Africa region.
