KEY POINTS
- Hassan Sheikh Mohamud aims to resolve tensions with Ethiopia.
- Ethiopia’s support for Somaliland independence has fueled a diplomatic rift.
- President Erdogan hosts peace talks to ease regional tensions.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has departed for Ankara, Turkey, to participate in the third round of peace talks aimed at easing tensions with Ethiopia.
The talks, mediated by Turkey, come amid growing concerns over Ethiopia’s support for the independence of Somaliland, a self-declared state that Somalia refuses to recognize.
The Somali National News Agency (SONNA) confirmed the trip, stating, “President (Mohamud) has departed for Ankara at the official invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The third round of talks between Somalia and Ethiopia, mediated by Turkey, will resume.”
The diplomatic rift between Ethiopia and Somalia has escalated following Ethiopia’s announcement that it would support Somaliland’s bid for independence in exchange for control of a strategic strip of land.
If Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed attends the talks, it will mark the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Addis Ababa revealed its controversial plans.
Somalia opposes Somaliland independence amid growing diplomatic rift
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, has operated as a self-governing entity with relative peace and stability. Despite its autonomous rule, Somaliland has struggled to gain international recognition, with Mogadishu maintaining firm opposition to its independence bid.
According to Reuters, Ethiopia’s move to support Somaliland’s independence in exchange for access to a vital port has drawn criticism from Somalia’s leadership. Somali officials see the deal as a threat to the nation’s sovereignty and an attempt to fragment the country’s territorial integrity.
The dispute has pushed Somalia closer to Egypt and Eritrea, both of which have their own disputes with Ethiopia. Egypt has long been at odds with Ethiopia over the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile River, a project that Cairo sees as a threat to its water supply. By aligning with Egypt and Eritrea, Somalia hopes to build a coalition that can counterbalance Ethiopia’s regional influence.
The ongoing mediation in Turkey is seen as a crucial step in preventing the conflict from escalating into a broader geopolitical crisis.
Turkey steps in as mediator to ease Somalia-Ethiopia tensions
Turkey has positioned itself as a key mediator in the ongoing Somali-Ethiopian dispute. By hosting the third round of talks, Ankara aims to facilitate a resolution between President Mohamud and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Turkey has a vested interest in stability in the Horn of Africa, where it has significant trade and development ties. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s involvement signals the importance of the talks, with hopes of brokering a compromise between Somalia and Ethiopia.
Ethiopian officials and Turkey’s foreign ministry have not commented on the agenda for the talks. However, observers suggest that the discussions will center on Ethiopia’s proposal to recognize Somaliland’s independence and Somalia’s opposition to the move.
The outcome of the negotiations could have significant implications for regional stability, given that Ethiopia has thousands of troops stationed in Somalia as part of a mission to combat al-Qaeda-linked insurgents. With both nations heavily intertwined in matters of security, trade, and politics, the stakes for a peaceful resolution are high.
