Türkiye mediates crisis between Somalia, Ethiopia
FM Hakan Fidan meets with Ethiopian FM Taye Atske Selassie (left) and Somali FM Ahmed Moalim Fiqi (right) in Ankara. Ministers Fidan, Selassie and Fiqi held a joint press conference after the meeting, Ankara, Türkiye, July 1, 2024 (AA Photo)
Türkiye is taking significant steps to mediate and resolve the escalating tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, two of its neighbors.
In May, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali wrote to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, requesting Ankara’s assistance in resolving the conflict between Ethiopia and Somalia, according to sources.
President Erdogan directed Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to promptly address the crisis upon receiving a comparable request from Somalia.
In Ankara on July 1, Fidan first hosted Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taye Atske Selassie and Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ahmed Moallim Fiqi.
Meeting in Ankara
The foreign ministers of the two countries convened under the leadership of Minister Fidan, and the meeting concluded with a joint statement in which both parties declared their commitment to a peaceful resolution of the underlying conflict.
Additionally, they agreed to convene in Ankara on Sep 2. Nevertheless, after high-level consultations with the Somali side, they rescheduled the second round of negotiations for today, with both delegations convening in Ankara.
‘Peace now, end the tensions’
The objective of the discussions is to establish a consensus that takes into account the needs, concerns, and strategies of both nations. Since July 1, Ankara has also been in contact with other regional countries to secure their assistance in the process.
President Erdogan engaged in a phone conversation with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali last weekend to discuss regional and global developments, as well as bilateral relations between Türkiye and Ethiopia.
Erdogan underscored the strengthening of the relationship between the two nations and reaffirmed Türkiye’s commitment to reducing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia during the call.
He encouraged Ethiopia to resolve apprehensions regarding Somalia’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and unity to expedite the process.
In a related development, President Erdogan also conversed with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud via telephone.
The ongoing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, as well as regional and global issues, were the subject of their conversation.
Erdogan reiterated Türkiye’s dedication to resolving the crisis and expressed optimism for tangible outcomes from the second round of negotiations, which will take place in Türkiye.
