Somalia's FM in Ankara ahead of maritime talks with Ethiopia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi landed in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, where he will hold talks with Ethiopian counterparts over the standoff witnessed recently on the access to the Red Sea.

Ethiopia had signed a controversial agreement with Somaliland on access to the Red Sea even though the state is not a sovereign country. Somalia accused Ethiopia of annexation before Turkey offered to mediate.

According to the state media, the second round of talks will occur on Monday 12th September in Ankara. Initially, this meeting was scheduled to take place in September, state media reaffirms.

"Delegation led by FM Ahmed Moallim Fiqi arrived in Ankara today, following an official invitation from Turkey. Representing Somalia, the delegation will join the 2nd round of talks with Ethiopia, set to begin on August 12, 2024, three weeks ahead of schedule."

At a news conference in Istanbul, Fidan said a second round of talks between Somalia and Ethiopia will occur in Ankara next week. Fidan’s announcement came a week after he visited Addis Ababa and met Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

“We discussed these issues with Prime Minister Abiy in detail,” Fidan said.

“Tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia would end with Ethiopia’s access to the seas through Somalia as long as Ethiopia’s recognition of Somalia’s territorial integrity and political sovereignty is secured.”

Turkey remains a close ally in the right fight against Al-Shabaab, a group seeking to overthrow the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia. Ethiopia wants to build a military base besides calls to establish a new port.

GAROWE ONLINE