Ethiopia and Somalia on Wednesday agreed to hold “technical talks” to resolve a dispute sparked by Ethiopia’s deal with Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland, according to a statement following talks in Turkey.
Turkey has been mediating between the two east African countries as tensions between them have simmered since Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland in January to lease land along its coastline to establish a marine force base.
In return, Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland’s independence, which Somalia says infringes on its sovereignty and territory.
Photo: AFP / Turkish Presidental Press Service
A joint declaration was reached after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met separately with Somalian President Hassan Sheik Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Wednesday.
The sides agreed that the talks, which would begin by February and conclude within four months, would respect Somalia’s territorial integrity while recognizing “potential benefits” of Ethiopia’s access to the sea, the statement says.
The sides would work to “finalize mutually advantageous commercial arrangements” to allow Ethiopia “to enjoy reliable, secure and sustainable access to and from the sea,” under Somalian sovereignty, it says.
Somaliland seceded from Somalia more than 30 years ago, but is not recognized by the African Union or the UN as an independent state. Somalia still considers Somaliland part of its territory.
Somaliland has built a stable political environment, contrasting sharply with Somalia’s ongoing struggles with insecurity amid deadly attacks by al-Qaeda-linked militant group al-Shabaab. Somaliland last month held a presidential election that boosted its push for international recognition.
Erdogan, flanked by Mohamud and Abiy, told reporters at a news conference in the Turkish capital that the sides have reached an “important stage” in efforts to solve their dispute.
The joint declaration focuses “on the future and not the past,” he said. “By overcoming some resentments and misunderstandings, we have taken the first step toward a new beginning based on peace and cooperation between Somalia and Ethiopia.”
He also said he hoped Somalia would take steps to give Ethiopia sea access.
Abiy said that “Ethiopia’s aspiration for secure access to the sea is a peaceful venture and one that would benefit all our neighbors.”
“I believe that today’s constructive discussions will push us into a new year with this spirit of cooperation, friendship and the willingness to work together instead of against each other,” he said.
Mohamud said that the Horn of Africa is a “very fragile and very volatile region, which needs both Ethiopia and Somalia to work together” for the benefit of both.
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