Turkey hosts another round of talks to ease tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia

Turkey hosted a second round of talks on Monday between Ethiopia and Somalia, aiming to resolve tensions stemming from Ethiopia’s recent agreement with Somaliland, officials reported.

The dispute between the two East African nations intensified after Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland in January, a move Somalia condemned as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The agreement would grant Ethiopia a lease on a 20-kilometer (12-mile) stretch of Somaliland’s coastline to establish a marine force base. Ethiopia, with a population exceeding 120 million, is the world’s most populous landlocked country.

In exchange for the lease, Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland’s independence—a move Somalia considers unacceptable, as it regards Somaliland as part of its own territory. Somalia has indicated it is prepared to go to war over the issue.

In an effort to mediate, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held separate meetings in Ankara with Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Taye Atske Selassie and Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, according to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ethiopian and Somali delegations did not meet directly; instead, Turkish officials facilitated proximity talks, shuttling between the two sides to convey messages and proposals.

Last week, Fidan proposed a potential solution that would grant Ethiopia sea access via Somalia in exchange for Ethiopia’s recognition of Somalia’s territorial integrity and political sovereignty.

On Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been working to expand Turkey’s influence in Africa, held separate phone conversations with the leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia, urging them to pursue a peaceful resolution, according to his office.

Turkey previously hosted the first round of talks in July, which also involved separate meetings with Fidan. The second round, initially planned for September, was moved up following Fidan’s recent visit to Ethiopia earlier this month.

Turkey has established strong ties with Somalia, recently signing agreements on defense and oil and gas exploration. The country also maintains economic and trade relations with Ethiopia.