Erdogan holds talks with PM Abiy Ahmed as Ethiopia insists on access to sea

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Ahead of Monday's talks between Ethiopia and Somalia in Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has held talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who has been at the epicenter of the controversy between the two teams.

Turkey has agreed to mediate conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia over access to the Red Sea, with the second conference set for tomorrow (Monday) in Ankara, Turkey. President Recep Tayyip has been at the forefront of pushing for stability in the Horn of Africa.

During the call, Recep noted that the bilateral relations with Ethiopia "are growing stronger each passing day." He said Turkey is committed to ending tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, which have nose-dived in recent weeks.

"Underscoring that Türkiye continues its efforts aimed at ending the tension between Somalia and Ethiopia, President Erdoğan noted that steps to be taken by Ethiopia that would eliminate Somalia’s concerns regarding its unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity will facilitate the process," read the statement.

"Further stressing that Israel maintains genocide in Gaza, President Erdoğan said that Ethiopia supporting the Palestinian cause by favoring the conscience of humanity will contribute to the international community’s efforts for a lasting peace."

Ethiopia had signed a controversial agreement with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, which would see it getting 20 kilometers of the Red Sea for the construction of a military base and port in return for recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state.

But despite the persuasions by President Tayyip Erdogan, Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says the country is determined to get access to the sea but through a mutually agreeable approach, however long it may take.

"PM Abiy expressed appreciation for President Erdogan’s support in facilitating a resolution to the misunderstanding b/n Ethiopia and Somalia," state media reports. "He emphasized the importance of providing Ethiopia, a nation of 120 million people, with access to the sea in a mutually agreeable approach."

So severe have been the tensions that Somalia sought help from Turkey and Egypt to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Already, the Turkish Naval forces have been dispatched to Somalia’s lengthy coastline following a defense agreement between Ankara and Mogadishu.

GAROWE ONLINE