Türkiye reports that the third phase of the mediation talks between Ethiopia and Somalia under the Ankara Process, originally scheduled for September 17, has been postponed indefinitely with no new date set.
No official explanation was provided for the delay, but Turkish experts believe it was postponed due to rising hostilities in the region.
Somalia’s Foreign Minister, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, suggested that Somalia might consider supporting Ethiopian rebel groups if Ethiopia proceeds with its contentious agreement with Somaliland.
Nebiyu Tedla, Ethiopia’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the African Union, criticized Somalia’s Foreign Affairs Minister’s remarks regarding support for Ethiopian rebels, calling them ‘comical’ and accusing them of prioritizing narrow clan interests over the nation’s advancement.
On January 1, 2024, Abiy Ahmed and Muse Bihi of Somaliland signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Under the terms of the agreement, Ethiopia will recognize Somaliland as independent country in exchange for a 50-year lease of coastline.
This would grant long-desired access to the sea to Ethiopia, one of the largest landlocked countries in the world.
However, Somalia has threatened to take drastic measures because it believes that the agreement violates its sovereignty.
“If it continues this, Somalia will have the option to have contact with armed rebels in Ethiopia or rebels that are fighting against the Ethiopian regime,” Fiqi stated.
Recent tensions, particularly Egypt’s role in escalating hostilities in the region, may also be connected to the mediation talks’ delay.
A military cooperation protocol between Egypt and Somalia was signed on August 14, witnessed by Presidents Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan are actively trying to reduce tensions between the two countries, and despite the delay, Türkiye continues to strongly support the Ankara Process, which aims to promote dialogue between Somalia and Ethiopia.
The Arab League, China, the US, Türkiye, the international community, and the African Union have all urged Ethiopia to respect Somalia’s sovereignty.