In a bid to resolve a growing diplomatic dispute, Ethiopia and Somalia have begun on Tuesday, February 18, a series of technical talks under Turkey’s mediation, following a controversial agreement between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland.
The deal, signed in late 2023, grants Ethiopia access to Somaliland’s coastline in exchange for recognizing its independence, a move that has stirred strong opposition from Somalia, which views Somaliland as part of its territory.
The first round of talks was held in Ankara on Tuesday, led by Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos and Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Mohamed Omar.
The agreement has sparked widespread unrest in Somalia, leading to protests in Mogadishu earlier in January 2024, where demonstrators voiced their anger over the deal. Somalia’s government argues that the arrangement undermines its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Ethiopia, the world’s most populous landlocked country, has long sought access to the sea. With the region already fragile due to political instability, Turkey’s role as a mediator is seen as crucial in preventing further escalation of tensions and fostering dialogue between the Horn of Africa nations.
Somaliland, which declared its independence from Somalia more than three decades ago, remains unrecognised by both the African Union and the United Nations. Despite this, the self-declared republic has managed to establish a degree of autonomy and political stability. The next round of talks is scheduled for March 2025, with both sides expected to continue negotiating in the hope of reaching a resolution that satisfies all parties, balancing Somalia’s territorial concerns with Ethiopia’s strategic need for access to the sea.