Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to soften tension over a port deal the former had signed with the breakaway enclave of Somaliland.
Ethiopia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Taye Aske Selassie, and his counterpart in Somalia, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, have reached an agreement to meet again after Turkish mediated talks in Ankara, according to an official statement from Addis Ababa on Tuesday.
“The ministers, through Türkiye’s facilitation, were able to separately have a candid, cordial and forward-looking exchange concerning their differences and explored perspectives towards addressing them within a mutually acceptable framework,” the statement said.
It said the ministers of Somalia and Ethiopia reiterated their commitment to the peaceful resolution of differences, and expressed their appreciation to Türkiye for its facilitation, as well as its constructive contributions.
Addis Ababa said the ministers agreed to pursue the ongoing dialogue with a view to resolving their issues and ensuring regional stability. They agreed to meet in Ankara on 2nd of September 2024 to have a second round of discussions.
Ethiopia and Somalia diplomatic relationship soured in January when Ethiopia agreed to lease 20 km (12 miles) of coastline from Somaliland, in exchange for recognition of its independence.
A Turkish diplomatic source said Ankara’s mediation efforts began after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited Erdogan in Ankara in May and conveyed a letter asking Turkey to mediate between Somalia and Ethiopia.
MG/as/APA