Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks during a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart, in Cairo on August 5, 2024. AFP
By Mohamed Hatem
The third phase of the Ankara Process mediation talks between Somalia and Ethiopia, initially set for 2 September and rescheduled to 17 September, has been postponed indefinitely with no future date set, according to Turkiye Today.
Although no official reason was given for the delay, it follows comments by Somalia’s Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, who suggested that Somalia might consider supporting Ethiopian rebel groups if Ethiopia proceeds with its controversial agreement with Somaliland.
Signed in January 2024, the deal involves Ethiopia recognising Somaliland’s secession in exchange for leasing 20 kilometres (12 miles) of coastline for 50 years.
This would provide Ethiopia, one of the world’s largest landlocked countries, with long-sought-after access to the sea.
However, Somalia views the agreement as an infringement on its sovereignty and has warned of possible drastic measures.
“The option to have contacts with armed rebels in Ethiopia or rebels that are fighting against the Ethiopian regime – if it continues this, to have contact with them is an option open to Somalia,” Fiqi said.
The delay in the mediation talks may also be linked to Egypt’s recent deployment of troops to Somalia, some sources told Turkiye Today.
On 14 August, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud witnessed the signing of a military cooperation protocol between their countries.
Despite the delay, the Ankara Process, designed to foster dialogue between Somalia and Ethiopia, continues to receive strong backing from Türkiye, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan actively working to ease tensions between the two nations.
Somaliland is not recognised by Egypt which has repeatedly asserted its firm position in supporting Somalia’s unity and sovereignty over its territories.
The United States, the European Union, China, the African Union, and the Arab League have all urged Ethiopia to respect Somalia’s sovereignty.
