Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has flown to Turkey for mediation talks with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The meeting has been organized by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and seeks to resolve ongoing tensions stemming from Ethiopia’s controversial agreement with Somaliland. The talks represent the first direct dialogue since hostilities escalated earlier in the year.
On the evening of his departure, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia traveled to Turkey for mediation discussions with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed. This meeting, organized by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, marks President Mohamud’s first attendance since previous attempts at dialogue were unsuccessful, leading to heightened tensions. Insiders have noted that prior to joint talks, Mr. Erdogan is expected to meet with both leaders individually to lay the groundwork for negotiations.
The forthcoming discussions will serve as the first encounter between the Somali and Ethiopian leaders following the controversy surrounding Ethiopia’s agreement with the self-declared republic of Somaliland. This agreement proposes that Ethiopia be granted 20 kilometers of access to the Red Sea, in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s sovereignty, an action that has significantly strained relations with Somalia. Initially, Somalia had insisted on the withdrawal of this agreement before any mediation could take place. However, negotiations are proceeding despite its continuation amidst fluctuating leadership in Somaliland.
Somalia’s government has also decided to withdraw from the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), opting for Egypt to lead this peacekeeping initiative, which signals a deliberate demotion of Ethiopia’s role. Conversely, Ethiopia maintains its commitment to supporting Somalia’s peace efforts against the militant group Al-Shabaab, recently solidifying its collaboration with Kenya in this endeavor.
This meeting follows recent accusations from Somalia, alleging that Ethiopia has been arming local militias, with the latest claims centered on the Jubaland region. However, the Jubaland authorities have refuted these allegations, asserting that no Ethiopian forces are being mobilized to engage in combat alongside local factions amid ongoing conflicts between Kismayo and Mogadishu.
The geopolitical climate between Somalia and Ethiopia has been notably strained, particularly since the signing of a controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on January 1. This agreement facilitated Ethiopia’s access to the Red Sea in exchange for the recognition of Somaliland, which Somalia vehemently opposes due to its implications on national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The mediation talks in Turkey are critical in addressing these tensions and exploring potential avenues for peace amidst escalating accusations and diplomatic fallout between the two nations.
In summary, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s visit to Turkey for negotiations with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed highlights the ongoing tensions affecting bilateral relations between Somalia and Ethiopia. The discussions aim to mediate an ongoing dispute exacerbated by recent agreements involving Somaliland and accusations of Ethiopian interference in Somali affairs. The outcome of this meeting could have significant ramifications for peace and stability not only in Somalia but throughout the region.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com
