Somali President and Ethiopian Prime Minister to Discuss Somaliland Dispute in Turkey
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed are set to meet in Ankara, Turkey, amidst ongoing tensions over a maritime agreement involving Somaliland. This meeting would be their first since the dispute arose, with Somalia condemning the agreement as a violation of its sovereignty. Previous mediation efforts have been unsuccessful, increasing concerns regarding regional stability as Ethiopian troops prepare for withdrawal from Somalia.
A forthcoming meeting between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is scheduled to take place in Ankara, Turkey. This meeting, confirmed by sources close to the Somali presidency, is reportedly at the request of Ethiopia. It will be significant as it marks the first encounter between the two leaders since their nations entered a dispute concerning a maritime agreement Ethiopia signed with the self-declared republic of Somaliland on January 1. The agreement allows Ethiopia access to a portion of the Red Sea coastline, which Somalia claims as part of its territory.
The Somali government has denounced the agreement, viewing it as illegal and a breach of its sovereignty. Ethiopia contends that the deal does not encroach upon Somalia’s territorial claims, maintaining its position amid Somalia’s insistence that Somaliland is an integral part of its nation. Somaliland has operated independently since declaring itself a sovereign republic in 1991, though it remains unrecognized internationally.
Recent interactions between the two leaders have been tense, with prior negotiations mediated by Turkey failing to achieve progress on the Somaliland issue. The Somali president previously rejected an opportunity to meet Abiy during a forum in Beijing, stipulating the condition that Ethiopia must withdraw from its agreement with Somaliland. Past efforts by regional leaders to mediate discussions have also not yielded success, raising apprehensions about the potential for conflict in the Horn of Africa.
In addition, the impending withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia is anticipated as the mandate of the African Union Transition Mission reaches its conclusion this month. This transition may add further complexity to the geopolitical dynamics between the countries involved.
The current dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia centers on a maritime agreement signed by Ethiopia with Somaliland, a self-governing territory that declared independence in 1991 yet remains unrecognized. This agreement has intensified tensions, as the Somali government perceives it as an infringement on its sovereignty. Notably, previous attempts to mediate the conflict through international and regional negotiations have proven unsuccessful, underscoring the significance of the forthcoming talks between the two leaders. The stability of the Horn of Africa region is at stake, with potential implications for peace and security amidst existing administrative transitions.
In summary, the prospective talks between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia will address critical issues stemming from a contentious maritime agreement with Somaliland. This meeting represents a crucial opportunity to ameliorate tensions, particularly in light of Somalia’s demands for the withdrawal of Ethiopian involvement in Somaliland. The outcome may either pave the way for diplomatic resolution or exacerbate already fraught relations within the Horn of Africa, emphasizing the urgent need for effective governance and regional cooperation.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
