Turkey mediated talks between Somalia and Ethiopia on Monday to ease diplomatic tensions between the two African neighbors, according to the Turkish Foreign Ministry. The Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, Taye Atske Selassie, and his Somalian counterpart, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, had a candid and forward-looking exchange concerning their differences, facilitated by Turkey's foreign minister, Hakan Fidan. The tensions arose after Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with the breakaway region of Somaliland in January, which Somalia condemned as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The memorandum aimed to grant Ethiopia access to the sea through Somaliland in exchange for Ethiopia recognizing Somaliland as an independent country. Prior to the January memorandum, Somalia and Ethiopia had enjoyed peaceful relations.

Source: Ethiopian News July 02, 2024 09:13 UTC