ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey hosted a second round of talks Monday between East African neighbors Ethiopia and Somalia to try to resolve a dispute over Ethiopia’s deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland, officials said.
Tensions between the two African countries have increased since Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland in January, which Somalia denounced as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Under the agreement, Somaliland would lease a 20-kilometer (12-mile) stretch of land along its coast to Ethiopia to establish a maritime force base. With an estimated population of more than 120 million, Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked country in the world.
In return, Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland’s independence. Somalia has said it is prepared to go to war over this as it considers Somaliland part of its territory.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held separate meetings in the Turkish capital Ankara with his Ethiopian counterpart Taye Atske Selassie and Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, according to the ministry.
The two African delegations did not meet in person, but Turkish officials circulated between the two sides in so-called proximity talks, the officials said.
Last week, Fidan said he had proposed a deal that would guarantee Ethiopia’s maritime access through Somalia. In return, Ethiopia would recognize Somalia’s territorial integrity and political sovereignty, he said.
On Sunday, the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoganwhich is vying for greater influence from Turkey in Africa, has held separate phone calls with the leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia, encouraging a peaceful resolution, his office said.
Turkey also hosted the first round of talks in July, also involving separate meetings with Fidan. The second round of negotiations was initially scheduled for September, but was brought forward following Fidan’s visit to Ethiopia earlier this month.
Turkey has established close ties with Somalia and recently signed agreements to defense cooperation and oil and gas exploration. It also maintains economic and commercial ties with Ethiopia.
