Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is traveling to Turkey for mediation talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, organized by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This follows previous failed negotiations and is centered around Ethiopia’s contentious MoU with Somaliland for Red Sea access. The meeting serves as a pivotal effort to address increasing tensions and mutual accusations between the countries.
In a significant diplomatic move, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has departed for Turkey to engage in mediation talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. This meeting, organized by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, marks President Mohamud’s first attempt to address ongoing tensions following failed previous negotiations between the two nations. The discussions are expected to focus on fostering a peace deal amidst rising conflicts over Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland allowing access to the Red Sea, which has exacerbated Somalia’s grievances regarding sovereignty and territorial rights.
The talks are set to resume on Wednesday, with sources indicating that initial separate meetings will likely occur between Erdogan and each leader before the three participate in joint discussions. While Ethiopia initiated the meeting request, it was reportedly with the consent of President Mohamud, underscoring a possible willingness to engage despite ongoing disputes.
The backdrop to this meeting is marked by Somalia’s strong objections to Ethiopia’s Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, which grants Ethiopia access to 20 kilometers of the Red Sea in exchange for recognizing Somaliland as a separate state. This agreement has incited Somalia’s accusations that Ethiopia is infringing on its international sovereignty. Initially, Somalia sought to halt talks until the MoU was rescinded, yet discussions will continue in its presence as Somalia navigates internal political changes.
Adding to the complexity of relations, Somalia has excluded Ethiopia from the newly established African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), favoring Egyptian leadership in the mission. Nonetheless, Ethiopia remains committed to aiding Somalia’s stability efforts and combating the Al-Shabaab threat, evidenced by its recent agreement with Kenya focusing on these shared security concerns.
Amid these developments, Somalia has once again accused Ethiopia of covert military support for militias within its borders, particularly in Jubaland. Authorities there have rejected these claims, asserting that there is no coordinated Ethiopian military involvement in the region. The discussions in Ankara, therefore, represent a critical juncture in redefining relations between the two neighboring nations while addressing regional security issues.
The diplomatic tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia have escalated significantly due to Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland, which many in Somalia view as a clear infringement on its sovereignty. The situation has led to accusations, particularly from the Somali government, regarding Ethiopia’s military involvement in regional conflicts within Somalia. This upcoming mediation talks in Turkey are crucial not just for Somalia and Ethiopia but for regional stability in the Horn of Africa, showcasing the need for direct dialogue and negotiations to alleviate persistent hostilities and restore diplomatic relations.
The upcoming talks between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Turkey signify a crucial step toward resolving ongoing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia. Despite the existing strains over the controversial MoU with Somaliland, these discussions offer an opportunity for both leaders to address grievances and seek a peaceful resolution to their disputes. The involvement of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a mediator underscores the importance of international diplomacy in facilitating dialogue between the two nations.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
