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Somalia, Ethiopia begin technical talks in Turkey on maritime access
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    Monday February 17, 2025


    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (C) hosts Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (L) and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (R) in Ankara for trilateral discussions aimed at strengthening regional cooperation. (Photo: Turkish Presidency)

    Mogadishu (HOL) — Mogadishu (HOL) — A day after Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed met to restore ties, officials from both nations have begun technical talks in Ankara to implement the Ankara Declaration and discuss Ethiopia’s bid for maritime access through Somali territory.

    Somali Minister of Information Daud Aweis confirmed his participation in the discussions, stating that the delegation's primary focus is on implementing agreements reached in previous diplomatic engagements.

    "I have arrived in Ankara to join #Somalia delegation for the kick-off of the first round of technical discussions between Somalia and Ethiopia, aimed at exploring ways to implement the Ankara Declaration," Aweis wrote on X.

    "Somalia is committed to fostering peace, strengthening cooperation, and building diplomatic relations grounded in mutual understanding and respect," he added.

    The talks come as Ethiopia continues to push for a maritime trade corridor, a demand that has fueled geopolitical disputes in the Horn of Africa. On January 1, 2024, Ethiopia signed an MoU with Somaliland that proposed granting Addis Ababa access to a 19-kilometer stretch of coastline near Berbera for 50 years. The deal, which included potential Ethiopian recognition of Somaliland's independence, triggered a strong rebuke from Somalia's federal government, which denounced the agreement as an infringement on its sovereignty.

    Somalia has insisted that any maritime agreement must be negotiated exclusively with the federal government in Mogadishu and must comply with international law. The technical committees, composed of representatives from both governments, are expected to assess the feasibility of a framework where Ethiopia could gain controlled access under Somali oversight.

    Turkey, which maintains strong diplomatic and military ties with Somalia, has previously acted as a mediator in regional disputes. While Ankara played a key role in brokering the December 2024 Ankara Declaration, it remains unclear whether Turkey is actively facilitating these discussions or simply hosting the Somali delegation.

    The outcome of these negotiations could reshape regional alliances and power dynamics in the Horn of Africa. A mutually beneficial agreement may enhance economic cooperation and regional stability. At the same time, failure to reach a consensus could escalate tensions and embolden insurgent groups such as al-Shabaab, which have historically exploited political disputes for recruitment and influence

     





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