Talks in Ankara between Ethiopian and Somali officials to resolve a year-long spat over breakaway Somaliland is making headway, the Turkish foreign affairs ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
Tension between the Horn of Africa neighbours was sparked by a controversial deal involving Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland which is still regarded by the authorities in Mogadishu as part of Somalia.
According to Turkey, through the course of the latest round of negotiations, both delegations demonstrated their commitment to implementing the Ankara Agreement which was brokered to defuse the tension and prepare the mood for talks to resolve the dispute.
The Turkish foreign ministry added in the statement that both parties have started ”concrete work to translate the vision set forth by the leaders of the countries in the Ankara accord into action and to lay the foundation for mutual sustainable development”.
Turkey has been mediating between the Horn of Africa countries after concerns about potential conflict in an already volatile region.
Negotiations led by Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan, were attended by his Ethiopian counterpart Gideon Timothy and Somalia’s deputy foreign minister Ali Mohamed Omar who have reportedly showed ”immense goodwill” to proceed with more practical aspects of the Ankara accord.
Tensions have simmered since landlocked Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland last year to lease land along the enclave’s coastline to establish a base for a marine force.
In return, Ethiopia would become the first country to formally recognise Somaliland’s independence.
Somalia had made it clear that the deal infringes on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In December, the leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia met in Turkey and agreed to initiate technical talks aimed at reaching a potential agreement that upholds Somalia’s territorial integrity while allowing Ethiopia access to the Red Sea.
MG/as/APA