Somalia

No resolution reached yet as Turkey mediates Somalia-Ethiopia row on port deal

By Abdirahman Khalif | Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Somalia insisted on Ethiopia withdrawing from the agreement before embracing dialogue.

Turkey has taken on a mediator role in facilitating discussions between Somalia and Ethiopia over the contentious port agreement the latter signed with Somaliland.

In a joint statement, Turkey announced that its Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, invited Ethiopia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Taye Atske Selassie, and Somalia's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, to Ankara for the talks.

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Despite the discussions, no resolution was reached during this initial meeting.

Somalia's delegation remained firm in refusing to negotiate the disputed maritime agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland. Somalia insisted on Ethiopia withdrawing from the agreement before embracing dialogue.

Inside the talks

The ministers engaged in separate discussions aimed at finding a mutually acceptable resolution to their disputes.

According to the statement, the two ministers expressed their commitment to resolving their differences peacefully and thanked Turkey for its role in facilitating the talks.

"Both ministers expressed their commitment to a peaceful resolution of their differences and thanked Turkey and its President Tayyip Erdoğan for facilitation and constructive contributions," read part of the statement released by Turkey.

Somalia, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed gratitude to Turkey for its positive role in promoting stability in the Horn of Africa. In a statement, Somalia acknowledged Turkey's contribution to the region's peace efforts.

"The government expresses its gratitude to the brotherly nation of Turkey for their positive role in contributing to the stability of the Horn of Africa," read the statement from Somalia.

Somalis react during a march against the Ethiopia-Somaliland port deal along KM4 street in Mogadishu, Somalia January 11, 2024. REUTERS/Feisal Omar/File Photo

Somalis react during a march against the Ethiopia-Somaliland port deal along KM4 street in Mogadishu, Somalia January 11, 2024. (Photo: REUTERS/Feisal Omar/File Photo)

September 2 talks

The joint statement, however, reiterated the commitment of the two countries to meet again on September 2, 2024, in Ankara for further discussions. The continuation of dialogue in September will be a crucial step in the ongoing mediation process between the two neighbours, with Turkey playing a central role in facilitating these efforts.

These talks are part of ongoing efforts to mend diplomatic relations between Somalia and Ethiopia after relations between the two nations deteriorated in January. Ethiopia agreed to lease 20 kilometres of coastline from Somaliland in exchange for recognising its independence.

Somalia condemned the agreement as illegal, expelled the Ethiopian ambassador, and threatened to expel thousands of Ethiopian troops stationed in Somalia who assist in combating Al-Shabaab.

The situation remains unresolved, with Somalia maintaining a firm stance on the issue and also declining to recognise the independence of Somaliland.

A report by Reuters stated that a spokesperson for Somaliland said it was not involved in the latest talks held in Ankara.