Somalia: Ethiopia is not willing to withdraw Sea MoU with Somaliland

MOGADISHU, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has expressed his concerns about Ethiopia's approach to seeking to access the sea, noting that the country has neither shown remorse nor commitment to withdraw the controversial agreement with Somaliland.

Signed early this year, the MoU has sparked sharp differences within the Horn of Africa, necessitating mediation by Tuesday, whose preliminary meetings were held on Monday in Ankara under the guidance of Hakan Fidan, the Turkish Foreign Affairs minister.

But away in Mogadishu on Monday night, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia poked holes into Ethiopia's approach, noting that the country has refused to withdraw the agreement which breaches the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“No indications so far that they [Ethiopia] are turning back from that path,” he said on Monday evening. He was speaking after talks between Ethiopia and Somalia ended in Turkey without a breakthrough.

Hassan Sheikh said it was Ethiopia that requested from Turkey to mediate between the countries. He said Ethiopia and Somalia delegates did not hold direct talks, but Turkey was acting as the intermediary.

Ethiopia signed an agreement with Somaliland which when implemented, would see the country get 20 kilometres of Red Sea for construction of naval base and port for the next 50 years in exchange for recognition of Somaliland state.

The agreement has been opposed by Somalia, which has vowed to protect its territorial integrity and sovereignty. The talks in Ankara are yet to iron out the differences as Somalia maintained the agreement ought to be dropped for sanity to prevail.

A statement released on Monday in Ankara indicates that Somalia and Ethiopia signed a joint declaration in Turkey, which expresses mutual willingness to resolve their issues.

Turkish FM Hakan Fidan said talks made significant progress in Ankara and a second round of talks will be held in September again in Turkey. Somalia's Foreign Affairs Minister Ahmed Fiqi and his Ethiopian counterpart Taye Selassie were in Ankara but did not hold direct talks.

"The ministers agreed to pursue the ongoing dialogue with a view to resolving their issues and ensuring regional stability," the statement read while acknowledging Turkey's mediation efforts.

GAROWE ONLINE