The Ethiopian government has expressed its commitment to ongoing engagement with Somalia, aiming to resolve existing differences and restore normal relations after the second round of Turkey-hosted talks concluded without a breakthrough.
In a statement, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) emphasized its “legitimate interest” in securing dependable access to and from the sea, while rejecting the notion of withdrawing from its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland. This position highlights Addis Ababa’s steadfast stance on the sea deal dispute, which has been a central issue in the negotiations with Somalia.
The second round of talks, mediated by Turkey, ended in a stalemate despite both sides reporting some progress. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced that a third round of discussions would take place on September 17 in Ankara. Fidan highlighted the “notable progress” made in de-escalating tensions, signaling a continued commitment to finding a resolution.
Somalia has confirmed its participation in the upcoming third round of talks, expressing hope that the negotiations will yield a definitive resolution reinforcing its sovereignty and national unity. The Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) reiterated its commitment to achieving a resolution “that supports the country’s territorial integrity.”
Both nations have agreed to proceed with the next round of talks in an effort to address the unresolved issues and restore diplomatic relations.
