By Horn Africa News Staff
Ankara — Tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia are intensifying as Turkish-brokered negotiations aimed at resolving a contentious port access deal appear to have stalled. On Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Ankara for a closed-door meeting focused on deepening bilateral ties, with a strong emphasis on counterterrorism and regional stability.
The high-level discussions came amid rising friction over a January 2024 agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland—a self-declared republic that Somalia regards as part of its sovereign territory. The deal would grant landlocked Ethiopia access to a 20-kilometre stretch of Somaliland’s coastline in exchange for backing Somaliland’s quest for international recognition.
Somalia has vehemently opposed the agreement, denouncing it as a violation of its sovereignty and branding it a “land grab.” The Somali government has since launched a global diplomatic campaign to halt the deal, including appeals to the United Nations.
Efforts by Turkey to mediate the dispute, which began in February 2024, have yet to yield results. No new rounds of negotiations have been announced.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has maintained his stance, calling sea access critical for Ethiopia’s economic growth—a position he reaffirmed on July 3. His remarks, mirroring comments made earlier this year, have drawn sharp criticism from Mogadishu.
The regional standoff has also drawn international interest. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met with President Mohamud earlier this week, pledging enhanced military cooperation and support for Red Sea maritime security.
With no diplomatic breakthrough in sight, concerns are mounting over the potential for further instability in the Horn of Africa.
