Diplomats from Somalia and Ethiopia failed to reach a deal after two days of indirect talks in Turkey, mainly over coastline access for Ethiopia, according to two officials who spoke to VOA on condition of anonymity.
The talks focused on a dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia over a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, signed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed with Muse Bihi Abdi, president of the Somaliland region, on January 1.
Under the MOU, Somaliland officials said they would lease 20 kilometers of coastline for 50 years to Ethiopia in exchange for Addis Ababa recognizing Somaliland as an independent state. Somaliland has not received international recognition for its 1991 declaration of secession from Somalia.
The Somali government strongly rejected the Ethiopia-Somaliland deal and accused Ethiopia of violating Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The first round of talks, mediated by Turkey, took place in Ankara on July 1, but ended without a breakthrough.
Representatives from the two African countries were unable to reach a deal during a second round of talks this week, according to two officials familiar with the meetings. They spoke to VOA on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity surrounding the discussions.
An official reported “progress” but ultimately said the two sides were unable to resolve their differences.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who visited both sides, spoke of “important progress” made during the talks.
“There is significant convergence on some key principles and specific modalities; this is important progress,” he said.
“Our goal is to continue to alleviate existing concerns and bridge gaps in a way that benefits not only Somalia and Ethiopia but the region as a whole. We believe that collaborative and constructive solutions are within our reach.”
Fidan said the two sides would meet again in Ankara on September 17 for a third round “with the hope of completing the process.”
Somalia's foreign minister, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, and Ethiopia's foreign minister, Taye Atske Selassie, led their respective delegations and thanked Turkey for the initiative to bring the two countries together.
Key sticking points remain unresolved despite the optimistic tone, officials said.
Somalia wants Ethiopia to formally commit to canceling the MOU, while Ethiopia wants Somalia to agree to sea access, the source said.
Ahead of the latest round of talks, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Ahmed in an effort to urge them to reconcile. (ab/ns)
