Ethiopia and Somalia launched critical technical talks in Ankara on Tuesday to address their escalating maritime dispute following Ethiopia’s controversial agreement with Somaliland. Turkey, a key regional power with a $1 billion military base in Somalia, is mediating negotiations aimed at preventing conflict in the Horn of Africa.
The crisis began after Ethiopia signed a 2023 memorandum with Somaliland to lease 20 kilometers of coastline for naval use. Landlocked Ethiopia, home to 120 million people, seeks direct sea access – but its tacit recognition of Somaliland’s independence triggered fury in Mogadishu. A Turkish diplomat stated:
Both sides recognize the urgency of balancing Somalia’s territorial claims with Ethiopia’s economic needs.
Key dispute elements:
- Ethiopia’s proposed recognition of Somaliland as sovereign
- Somalia’s constitutional claim over all its pre-1991 territory
- Turkey’s strategic interests in regional stability
The Ankara Declaration from December’s leaders’ summit guides current talks, emphasizing:
Three non-negotiable principles:
- Respect for Somalia’s territorial integrity
- Ethiopia’s right to economically viable sea access
- Peaceful resolution through African Union frameworks
With March’s second-round talks looming, analysts warn failure could destabilize shipping lanes near Yemen and heighten UAE-Saudi proxy competition. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry confirmed both delegations showed “concrete progress” on technical maps and transitional arrangements, though sovereignty disputes remain unresolved.
Regional implications grow as Somaliland – unrecognized globally since 1991 – leverages Ethiopia’s offer to push for international legitimacy. Meanwhile, Somalia faces pressure to accept revised port agreements maintaining nominal authority. As Egyptian and Arab League observers monitor talks, the outcome could redefine power dynamics across East Africa’s coasts.
