Somali President and Ethiopian Prime Minister to Meet Amid Somaliland Tensions

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is set to meet Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ankara. This marks their first dialogue since Ethiopia’s controversial maritime agreement with Somaliland. The Somali government views the agreement as illegal, contributing to heightened tensions. Previous mediation attempts have been unsuccessful, and Somalia anticipates the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops by the month’s end.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is scheduled to engage in face-to-face discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ankara, Turkey. This meeting, as confirmed by Somali officials, follows a request from Ethiopia and represents the first such engagement between the leaders since the dispute erupted over a maritime agreement. Ethiopia signed an accord with the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, granting it access to a vital stretch of coastline in exchange for potential acknowledgment of Somaliland’s sovereignty—a move that Somalia deems illegal and detrimental to its territorial integrity.

The meeting, set for Wednesday, arises against a backdrop of increasing tensions following Ethiopia’s maritime agreement with Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991. This territory, though self-governing, has not achieved international recognition. Recent discussions facilitated by Turkey in July and August failed to resolve these escalating tensions, while Somalia insists Ethiopia must withdraw from its agreement with Somaliland, further complicating diplomatic efforts between the two states.

In September, President Mohamud declined a previous opportunity to meet with Prime Minister Abiy during a forum in Beijing, emphasizing that any such dialogue would need to be contingent upon Ethiopia’s withdrawal from the contentious agreement. The stakes are high, with fears of renewed conflict in the Horn of Africa looming as Somalia anticipates the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops by the end of the month. With various failed mediation attempts from regional leaders, the upcoming meeting at Turkey’s behest represents a critical juncture in resolving this significant diplomatic impasse.

The geopolitical landscape involving Somalia and Ethiopia has been fraught with disputes, notably surrounding the issue of Somaliland, which has operated as a self-declared independent territory since 1991. The recent maritime agreement signed by Ethiopia and Somaliland has intensified tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, with Somali officials viewing the deal as a transgression of their sovereignty. Somalia continues to maintain that Somaliland is an integral part of its territory, complicating efforts for peace and diplomatic resolution in the region. As the mandate of the African Union Transition Mission nears its end, the situation remains precarious, highlighting the urgency of such diplomatic engagements.

The impending meeting between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ankara signifies an important effort to address the ongoing tensions surrounding Somaliland and the contentious maritime agreement. As Somalia seeks to affirm its territorial integrity and sovereignty, the pathway ahead remains complex, underscoring the necessity for continued diplomatic dialogue in the Horn of Africa to avert potential conflicts.

Original Source: www.voanews.com