Ethiopia and Somalia have made “notable progress” in resolving a dispute over Ethiopia’s deal with Somaliland, according to Turkey’s foreign minister Hakan Fidan.
This update came after the second round of talks mediated by Turkey.
Fidan noted that the scope of discussions had expanded significantly compared to the first round.
He emphasized that the talks focused on the technical aspects of a potential solution, expressing optimism about reaching a collaborative agreement.
Fidan, alongside Ethiopia’s Taye Atske Selassie and Somalia’s Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, announced a third round of talks scheduled for September 17.
The ongoing dispute centers on Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland, which Somalia views as a violation of its sovereignty.
The contentious deal, signed in January, involves Somaliland leasing a 20-kilometer coastal stretch to Ethiopia for a marine force base.
In exchange, Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland’s independence, a move Somalia strongly opposes.
Despite the tensions, progress in talks has been acknowledged.
Fiqi expressed Somalia’s commitment to protecting its sovereignty, while Selassie thanked Turkey for its mediation, reiterating Ethiopia’s desire for reliable sea access.
