Tensions boiled over when Ethiopia agreed to lease 20km (12 miles) of coastline from Somaliland in exchange for recognition of its independence. The Somali and Ethiopian foreign ministers will meet in Ankara next week to discuss disagreements over a port deal Ethiopia signed with the breakaway region of Somaliland this year, Turkey’s foreign minister says. The Somali government has called the port deal “outrageous” and “unauthorised”. Turkey has become a close ally of Somalia, building schools, hospitals and infrastructure and providing scholarships for Somalis to study in Turkey. This year, Turkey and Somalia signed a defence and economic cooperation agreement.

Source: Ethiopian News August 09, 2024 13:38 UTC