Turkey to Facilitate Negotiations Between Somalia and Ethiopia Over Controversial Port Agreement

Turkey has announced that it will mediate discussions between Somalia and Ethiopia next week in Ankara to address the disputes surrounding a recent port agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland. The announcement was made by Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan during a press conference in Istanbul on Friday.

The tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia escalated earlier this year when Ethiopia agreed to lease 20km (12 miles) of Somaliland’s coastline in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s independence. Somalia considers Somaliland part of its own territory and has expressed strong objections to the deal.

The agreement, finalized on January 1, grants Ethiopia a 50-year lease on a naval base with access to Berbera port, a key asset for Ethiopia which has been landlocked since Eritrea’s secession in 1993. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland’s leader Muse Bihi Abdi signed the deal in Addis Ababa.

In response, Somalia expelled Ethiopia’s ambassador in April and closed Ethiopia’s consulates in both Hargeisa and Garowe. Somalia has condemned the port deal as “outrageous” and “unauthorized,” viewing it as a threat to its sovereignty.

Ethiopia, one of Africa’s most populous nations, has been economically disadvantaged by its lack of sea access. The lease agreement marks Ethiopia’s first attempt to gain such access since losing its coastline to Eritrea.

As part of the deal, Ethiopia has committed to conducting an “in-depth assessment” of Somaliland’s bid for international recognition, a significant development as no other country has previously offered such a review.

Fidan’s announcement follows his recent visit to Addis Ababa, where he met with Prime Minister Abiy. Turkey, a close ally of Somalia, has been actively involved in supporting Somali infrastructure and education. In 2017, Turkey established its largest overseas military base in Mogadishu and has recently signed a new defense and economic cooperation agreement with Somalia.

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