Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is set to arrive in Türkiye following an official invitation from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is also expected in Ankara, with both leaders scheduled for separate high-level talks with Erdoğan. Although no formal announcement has been made, speculation grows over the possibility of a direct meeting between Mohamud and Abiy during their stay.
As The Wall Africa Journal previously reported, Somalia and Ethiopia plunged into a diplomatic crisis earlier this year after Ethiopia signed an agreement with Somaliland, a self-declared region. Somalia denounced the deal as a violation of its territorial integrity, recalling its ambassador from Ethiopia and seeking international support to defend its unity. Ethiopia, however, stood firmly behind the agreement, fueling tensions between Somalia and itself. Kenya attempted to mediate the dispute but failed to bring both parties to the table.
Türkiye stepped in seven months after the MoU to mediate through what has been dubbed the “Ankara Process,” leveraging its strong ties with both nations. The first two rounds of talks, held at the foreign ministers’ level, saw repeated delays and yielded no significant progress due to a lack of direct engagement between Somalia and Ethiopia. Now, with discussions elevated to the presidential level, hopes for a breakthrough are high.
President Erdoğan’s involvement signals Türkiye’s growing influence in Africa as a trusted partner and mediator. Analysts attribute this success to Türkiye’s reputation as a reliable ally for both Somalia and Ethiopia. This third round of talks is seen as a decisive moment in resolving the long-standing dispute, with Erdoğan expected to use his diplomatic expertise to bridge gaps and foster dialogue.
The world watches closely as Ankara hosts what many believe could be a turning point for Somali-Ethiopian relations, potentially restoring stability and cooperation in the Horn of Africa.