Turkey mediated talks between Somalia and Ethiopia on Monday in a bid to ease diplomatic tensions between the two East African neighbors, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.
Tensions between the two African countries have escalated since Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with the breakaway region of Somaliland in January, which Somalia denounced as an attack on its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
This protocol was to allow Ethiopia access to the sea via Somaliland and, in return, Ethiopia was to recognize Somaliland as an independent country.
Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taye Atske Selassie and his Somali counterpart Ahmed Moallim Fiqi were able to “separately have a frank, cordial and forward-looking exchange” on their differences, according to a statement released by the ministry. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan facilitated the discussions.
A second round of talks is scheduled to take place in the Turkish capital Ankara on September 2, according to the Turkish ministry.
“The ministers of Somalia and Ethiopia reiterated their commitment to peaceful resolution of the disputes and thanked (Turkey) for its facilitation as well as constructive contributions,” the statement read.
Somalia and Ethiopia enjoyed peaceful relations before the January Ethiopia-Somaliland memorandum.
