Ethiopia-Somalia Talks In Turkey Postponed Amid Rising Tensions 

ANKARA, Turkey - The much-anticipated mediation talks between Ethiopia and Somalia have been postponed, sources confirmed, in a drastic move that could further give room for escalation of tensions and possible amplification of the animosity between the warring parties.

Turkey, the host of the talks, failed to broker a deal in the first and second rounds and proposed the third round on September 17th. All involved parties were expected to meet in Ankara for elaborate talks to solve the current stalemate.

Organizers may have postponed the encounter because it clashes with preparations and travels to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, according to a source familiar with the talks. The UNGA is set to begin this week.

The talks were scheduled to take place in Ankara on Sept 17. No new date has been set yet but it’s expected the talks could resume after the UNGA. Somalia and Ethiopia are active participants of the summit in New York.

Somalia warned on Saturday that it could be forced to use militia in Ethiopia to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding that such a move would be an ideal option should Addis Ababa proceed with its 'expansionist' mentality.

But Ethiopia dismissed the sentiments as 'attributes' of Al-Shabaab, adding that those 'threatening us cannot even expand their governance outside the Banadir region'. Somalia has signed defense pacts with Egypt and Turkey, following 'threats' from Ethiopia.

Ethiopia signed a controversial agreement with the breakaway region of Somaliland which if implemented, would give it access to 20 kilometers of the Red Sea for construction of a military base and port in exchange for recognition of Somaliland.

Somalia further maintains that for the talks to progress, Ethiopia must withdraw the agreement first. With Egypt's possible involvement, Ethiopia has reportedly pushed its military closer to the common border with Somalia in anticipation of possible war.

GAROWE ONLINE