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The third round of talks between Somalia and Ethiopia mediated by Türkiye, which was scheduled for September 2 and rescheduled for September 17, was postponed again, indicating a dim future in resolving the growing disagreement between the two Horn of Africa countries.

Somalia and Ethiopia are embroiled in tensions over a deal over the Berbera port in the breakaway region of Somaliland. (Source: AFP)

No official reason has been given for the delay, but according to Turkiye Today, it may stem from comments by Somalia's Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi that his country may consider supporting Ethiopian rebel groups if Addis Ababa goes ahead with its controversial land lease deal with Somaliland.

Relations between Somalia and Ethiopia began to deteriorate in January 2024, when Addis Ababa signed a preliminary agreement with Somaliland, a breakaway region in northwestern Somalia, allowing Ethiopia to operate commercial and military operations in Somaliland’s Berbera port for 50 years. In return, Ethiopia became the first country to recognize Somaliland as an independent nation.

Somalia called the deal illegal, retaliating against Addis Ababa by expelling its ambassador and threatening to expel thousands of Ethiopian troops stationed in Somalia to help fight Islamist militants. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told the country's parliament that he "will not stand idly by and watch as our sovereignty is violated."

Meanwhile, Ethiopia described the agreement as “historic” because it “will pave the way to realize the country’s aspirations of securing access to the sea and diversifying its port access.”

One of Africa’s most populous countries (over 124 million people), Ethiopia’s economy is hampered by its lack of access to the sea. The East African nation was cut off from the Gulf of Aden after a three-decade war led to Eritrea’s secession in 1993, taking with it the entire former Ethiopian coastline. Since then, Ethiopia has relied heavily on neighboring Djibouti for its port operations.

Several countries and international organizations have spoken out about the controversial deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland. The African Union, the European Union, Türkiye, and the United States have all issued statements calling on Ethiopia to respect Somalia’s sovereignty. The Arab League has also called on Ethiopia to “abide by the rules and principles of good neighborliness.” The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a trade bloc for East African countries, has refused to take sides but has called on all parties to resolve the issue amicably.

Having gained independence from Britain and Italy, Somalia and Somaliland merged in 1960 to form a republic. In 1991, Somaliland separated from Somalia, after a war that devastated both sides. More than 30 years later, Somalia still considers Somaliland an integral part of its territory. To date, no international organization has recognized Somaliland's independence, although the country adopted an independent constitution in 2001.

As a result, Ethiopia’s signing of a land lease agreement and recognition of Somaliland has pushed relations between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu to the brink of war. Meanwhile, both countries are facing many instabilities in their countries. Somalia is waging a long-term war with the Islamist militant group al-Shabab, while Ethiopia is dealing with the aftermath of the Tigray war as well as instability in the Amhara region in the north of the country.

After two rounds of negotiations failed to produce any breakthrough results and the failure to resume a new round of negotiations despite mediation efforts by Türkiye - a close ally of Somalia, public opinion is concerned that it could lead to a new armed conflict between the two countries. The gunfire in this already unstable region could drag Somaliland into the fray, leading to chaos in the Horn of Africa region, which is already simmering with many problems just waiting for an opportunity to flare up again.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/cang-thang-somalia-ethiopia-chua-thao-duoc-kip-no-286858.html