Delegations from Ethiopia and Somalia will continue indirect talks on Tuesday under Türkiye’s mediation in efforts to resolve a dispute between the two countries.
The parties, both present at the Turkish Foreign Ministry, are not meeting face-to-face, the sources said, highlighting that Turkish officials are conducting “shuttle diplomacy” under the coordination of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
Separate meetings are being held with each side to seek reconciliation within a common framework as part of a “long process,” the sources added.
Earlier Monday, Fidan separately met with his Ethiopian counterpart Taye Atske Selassie and Somali counterpart Ahmed Moallim Fiqi.
Key issues under deliberation are thought to include the fate of the controversial memorandum of understanding, or MOU, that Ethiopia signed with Somaliland on January 1, and Ethiopia’s quest for sea access.
As part of the deal, Somaliland would lease 20 kilometers (12 miles) of land along its coastline to Ethiopia to establish a marine force base. In return, Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland’s independence.
Somalia denounced the MOU with the breakaway region as infringing upon its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Peoplesmind
