Turkey talks broker Ethiopia-Somalia deal to end tensions, resolve Somaliland dispute

According to a statement following talks in Turkey, Ethiopia and Somalia have reached an agreement to ease diplomatic tensions and begin “technical talks” by February to try to resolve a dispute over a controversial maritime access signed by Ethiopia with Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland. The announcement came after a third round of talks mediated by Turkey’s President Tayyip Recep Erdogan, who commended the two sides: “I would like to congratulate both brothers for coming to a compromise.” Based on the “Ankara Declaration,” the president of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and his Ethiopian counterpart, Abiy Ahmed Ali, have agreed to assure to protect each other’s territorial unity and sovereignty.