Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed plan to meet in Ankara amid rising tensions over a maritime agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland. This agreement has prompted Somalia to protest against perceived violations of its sovereignty. Previous attempts to mediate the conflict have failed, highlighting ongoing instability in the region as Somalia expects the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops in the coming weeks.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed are anticipated to convene in Ankara, Turkey, as confirmed by Somali officials on Tuesday. The meeting, requested by Ethiopia, has been accepted by the Somali president, though Ethiopian officials have not yet confirmed the details. This gathering, scheduled for Wednesday, marks the first between the two leaders since a maritime agreement was signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland, which has raised significant tension between Somalia and Ethiopia over territorial claims and sovereignty issues.
The contentious agreement grants Ethiopia a 20-kilometer stretch of coastline along the Red Sea in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence, a territory that declared independence in 1991 but has not achieved international recognition. The Somali government regards this agreement as illegal and a violation of its territorial integrity, asserting that Somaliland remains part of Somalia. Ethiopia, however, asserts that the agreement does not infringe upon Somalia’s sovereignty.
Somalia expects all Ethiopian troops to exit the country by the end of the month, coinciding with the expiration of an African Union Transition Mission in Somalia. Previous talks mediated by Turkey in July and August failed to reconcile the issue, with Somalia demanding Ethiopia’s withdrawal from the Somaliland agreement, amidst concerns of renewed conflict in the Horn of Africa. Additionally, a diplomatic attempt by Kenyan President William Ruto and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to mediate between the two leaders has also proven unsuccessful, reflecting the complexities of regional relations and the aspirations for stability.
Tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia have been escalating following a maritime agreement signed between Ethiopia and the self-declared republic of Somaliland. Somaliland’s claim to independence, which dates back to 1991, remains unsupported by international recognition, complicating relations within the Horn of Africa. The agreement, perceived as undermining Somali sovereignty, has prompted Somalia to demand the withdrawal of Ethiopian forces, which coincides with an African Union mandate’s expiration. Past diplomatic engagement has failed to resolve ongoing disputes, highlighting the fragility of peace in the region. Amid these tensions, the potential meeting between President Mohamud and Prime Minister Abiy in Ankara illustrates ongoing efforts to navigate these complex issues. Both nations have vested interests in maintaining stability, yet underlying historical and territorial disagreements continue to pose substantial challenges.
The anticipated meeting between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed signals an important step in addressing ongoing tensions stemming from Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland. With Somalia asserting its claim over Somaliland and calling for the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops, the discussions could either pave the way towards diplomatic resolution or unveil deeper conflicts. Continued regional mediation efforts highlight the complexity of navigating inter-state relations and the need for a collaborative approach to foster long-term stability in the Horn of Africa.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
