Turkey to host further talks on Ethiopia-Somalia port deal

Turkey's Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, has announced that additional discussions concerning the rift between Ethiopia and Somalia will be held next week in Ankara.

Hakan will oversee the negotiations, which are scheduled for September 2, 2024. The planned sessions follow a previous round of negotiations in July, which did not result in a resolution.

While addressing the media, the Minister said that Somalia will offer Ethiopia access to the sea in return for Ethiopia's recognition and respect for Somalia's sovereignty.

"Tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia would come to an end with Ethiopia's access to the seas through Somalia as long as Ethiopia's recognition of Somalia's territorial integrity and political sovereignty is secured," said Hakan.

His announcement came shortly after he visited Addis Ababa, where he met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Following the meeting, Hakan emphasised that the issues had been discussed in detail underscoring the importance of Turkey's mediation efforts in this ongoing diplomatic challenge.

During that initial meeting, Somalia's delegation held firm in its stance, refusing to negotiate over the disputed maritime agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland. Somalia's position has been clear: Ethiopia must withdraw from the agreement before any further dialogue can proceed.

The port deal Ethiopia signed with Somaliland on January 1, 2024, will give Addis Ababa a 50-year lease on a 20-kilometre stretch of the coastline, including a naval base with access to Somaliland's Berbera port, in exchange for Ethiopia's recognition of Somaliland's independence.

The deal has been a point of contention, with Somalia calling the agreement illegal.

Somalia's response included the expulsion of the Ethiopian ambassador from Mogadishu and threats to remove Ethiopian troops stationed in the country. However, the troops remain in Somalia, continuing their role in combating the militant group Al-Shabaab.

Turkey's involvement in mediating between Somalia and Ethiopia is part of its broader strategy in the region.

Since Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Mogadishu in 2011, Turkey has developed a strong partnership with Somalia. This relationship has been marked by Turkey's establishment of its largest overseas military base in Somalia, as well as a series of defence agreements between the two nations.

In February, Turkey and Somalia signed a defence agreement focused on maritime security.

Under this agreement, Turkey committed to aiding Somalia in protecting its territorial waters.

In addition to defence cooperation, Turkey has made significant investments in Somalia's education, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors. Turkish scholarships for Somali students, along with the construction of schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, are examples of Turkey's deepening involvement in the country.

In return for these contributions, Turkey has secured a strategic position along a vital global shipping route and strengthened its influence in Africa. The ongoing negotiations between Ethiopia and Somalia, facilitated by Turkey, are viewed as a critical test of Turkey's diplomatic efforts in the region.

The upcoming negotiations in Ankara will be widely monitored as all parties seek a solution that answers both Ethiopia's access to the sea and Somalia's desire for acknowledgement of its sovereignty.