Mogadishu deemed the pact unlawful and responded by booting the Ethiopian ambassador, while also vowing to evict thousands of Ethiopian soldiers aiding in its fight against Islamist rebels.
Representatives from the Somali government, Turkey’s foreign ministry, and Ethiopia’s foreign ministry, administration, and intel network didn’t return requests for comment right away.
A spokesperson from North Western of Somalia, which declared independence in 1991 but has yet to receive global recognition despite relatively stable self-governance, stated it wasn’t part of the discussions.
The negotiation’s aim wasn’t clear, and optimistic outcomes were scarce, two officials mentioned.
“Despite whispers that Somalia might ease its stance on dialogue rejection until Ethiopia voids the accord, it still seems improbable,” one official noted.
“I don’t perceive a path forward and doubt much will arise from these negotiations.”
Turkey has bolstered its alliance with Somalia since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s initial visit to Mogadishu in 2011, offering security training and development aid.
In February, the two countries inked a defense agreement for Ankara to assist with maritime security, aiding Somalia in protecting its coastal areas.
Turkey has erected schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, and provided scholarships for Somali students to study in Turkey. In return, Turkey has gained a strategic position in Africa and on a significant international shipping path.
