Turkey mediates between Somalia and Ethiopia to ease diplomatic tensions

ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey on Monday mediated talks between Somalia and Ethiopia to ease diplomatic tensions between the east African neighbors, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

Tensions between the two African countries have simmered since Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with the breakaway region of Somaliland in January, which Somalia denounced as infringing upon its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The memorandum was to allow Ethiopia’s access to the sea through Somaliland and in return Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as an independent country.

The Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Taye Atske Selassie, and his Somalian counterpart, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, were “able to separately have a candid, cordial and forward-looking exchange” concerning their differences, according to a statement released by the ministry. Turkey’s foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, facilitated the talks.

A second round of discussions is planned in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Sept. 2, the Turkish ministry said.

“The ministers of Somalia and Ethiopia reiterated their commitment to the peaceful resolution of differences, and expressed their appreciation to (Turkey) for its facilitation, as well as its constructive contributions,” the statement read.

Somalia and Ethiopia enjoyed peaceful relations prior to Ethiopia’s January memorandum with Somaliland.