Turkey mediates Somalia-Ethiopia talks over Somaliland deal dispute..

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed are set to meet in Ankara on Tuesday for the third round of talks to resolve escalating tensions over Ethiopia’s controversial agreement with Somaliland…

This meeting will mark the first direct engagement between the two leaders since Addis Ababa announced a deal granting access to Somaliland’s Berbera Port in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence. Mogadishu has fiercely condemned the agreement, labelling it an illegal infringement on Somalia’s sovereignty. Ethiopia, however, maintains that the deal aligns with its strategic interests and does not violate Somalia’s territorial integrity.

The Ethiopia-Somaliland agreement has exacerbated already fragile relations between Ethiopia and Somalia. Somaliland, a self-governing territory that declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but lacks international recognition, has emerged as a critical flashpoint in the region. Somalia views Somaliland as an integral part of its territory and has sought to undermine any agreements that legitimize its independence bid.

Adding to the tensions, Somalia accused Ethiopia of deploying arms to the port city of Kismayo to stoke divisions between Mogadishu and the Jubaland administration. Ethiopian officials have yet to comment on these allegations, while Jubaland leaders have dismissed them as baseless.

The talks, hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, reflect Ankara’s deepening role as a mediator in the Horn of Africa, where regional disputes threaten stability. Ankara has hosted two prior rounds of talks, but progress has been limited. Turkish officials have emphasized the importance of finding a resolution that ensures regional stability.

Turkey’s growing influence in Somalia is evident in its extensive defence and economic agreements. Earlier this year, Ankara and Mogadishu finalized a naval agreement to secure Somali territorial waters and bolster its maritime security. Turkish energy exploration efforts along Somalia’s coastline further underline the depth of their bilateral ties.

For Ethiopia, Turkey remains a significant partner, having provided military support through drone sales that played a pivotal role in Ethiopia’s conflict with Tigray forces. These multifaceted relationships place Ankara in a unique position to mediate the ongoing tensions.