Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is set to meet with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ankara to discuss the contentious maritime agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland. This first meeting since the eruption of disputes highlights the ongoing tensions regarding Somaliland’s status, as Somalia demands Ethiopia’s withdrawal from the agreement, which it views as illegal.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is scheduled to engage in discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ankara, Turkey, as confirmed by Somali officials on Tuesday. It has been reported that the meeting was requested by Ethiopia and subsequently accepted by the Somali presidency. The two leaders have not met since a dispute erupted over a maritime agreement Ethiopia signed with the autonomous region of Somaliland on January 1, granting Ethiopia access to a section of Red Sea coastline in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence.
The Somali government has declared the agreement illegal, asserting that it infringes upon its sovereignty, as Somalia does not recognize Somaliland’s claims of independence. Ethiopia, on the other hand, has maintained that its actions do not violate Somalia’s sovereignty. The situation has led to heightened tensions in the Horn of Africa, as Somalia is anticipating the withdrawal of all Ethiopian troops by the end of the month due to the expiration of the African Union Transition Mission’s mandate in the country.
Prior attempts to mediate this dispute have proven unsuccessful, including two rounds of talks in July and August, which were facilitated by Turkey but failed to reach a resolution, with Somalia demanding Ethiopia’s withdrawal from the agreement with Somaliland. The Somali president had previously declined an offer to meet with Abiy while attending an international forum, stating that discussions would occur only after Ethiopia’s withdrawal from the agreement. Additionally, efforts by other leaders in the region to convene a meeting between the two presidents have not yielded results, raising concerns over potential conflict resurgence in the area.
The current tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia stem from a maritime agreement signed by Ethiopia with Somaliland, a self-declared independent territory that has not gained international recognition since its declaration in 1991. This agreement has sparked significant controversy as the Somali government claims it undermines its sovereignty and territorial claims over Somaliland. The visit by President Mohamud to Turkey aims to address these disputes, particularly in light of Ethiopia’s military presence in Somalia under the African Union mandate, which is nearing its end.
In summary, the upcoming meeting between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed represents a critical opportunity to address the ongoing disputes concerning Somaliland. With past mediation efforts failing, the discussions in Ankara could prove pivotal in resolving tensions, although previous conditions set by the Somali president for meeting have complicated diplomatic communications. The potential for conflict remains a concern for the Horn of Africa, emphasizing the need for sustainable dialogue between the neighboring nations.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
