ANKARA, Aug 4 — Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will travel to Ethiopia this Saturday for talks with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taye Atske Selassie and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. The visit aims to address ongoing tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia over access to the Red Sea.
Türkiye has taken on a mediating role following Ethiopia’s recent port agreement with the self-declared Republic of Somaliland, which has sparked friction with Somalia. Fidan’s agenda includes discussions on bilateral relations, the Ethiopia-Somalia reconciliation process, and regional concerns, according to diplomatic sources.
The push for Red Sea access is a critical issue for Ethiopia, which lost its coastline following Eritrea’s independence in the early 1990s. The dispute over this access has fueled regional tensions and potential conflict.
The diplomatic sources also noted that the January 1 memorandum of understanding between Ethiopia and Somaliland, and Somaliland’s move to recognize Ethiopia, provoked international reactions. Following these developments, Ethiopian officials sought Türkiye’s support in May, leading to a previous meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Fidan also met with Ethiopian and Somali officials in Ankara on July 1, where the parties agreed to continue negotiations and meet again on September 2.
Türkiye’s mediation efforts have been recognized by the international community as a positive step toward resolving the crisis. Diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Ethiopia date back to 1896, and trade between the two countries has surged from $27 million in 2000 to $345 million in 2023. They aim to increase trade to $1 billion in the next five years.
Türkiye also maintains a strong relationship with Somalia, providing aid and training since President Erdoğan’s visit in 2011. A defense pact signed in February includes maritime security support for Somalia.
