Addis Ababa(Mogadishu24)-Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Saturday visited Ethiopia to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and mediating regional disputes. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed received Minister Fidan in Addis Ababa, where they focused on enhancing cooperation between their countries.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed shared on X (formerly Twitter) about his productive meeting with Minister Fidan, emphasizing the importance of continued bilateral ties. The visit underscored the robust relationship between Turkey and Ethiopia and their mutual commitment to deepening diplomatic and economic cooperation.

Mediation Efforts

Although specific details of their discussions were not disclosed, it is understood that Turkey is playing a crucial role in mediating the diplomatic tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia. The tensions arose following a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Ethiopia and the self-declared state of Somaliland on January 1, 2024.

Turkey recently hosted Ethiopian and Somali delegations in Ankara for talks aimed at resolving the dispute. Despite the initial discussions not yielding a resolution, a second round of talks is scheduled for September 2 in Ankara. Somalia’s Foreign Minister, Ahmed Moallim, acknowledged the challenges but remained hopeful for a successful outcome in the next phase of negotiations.

Regional Ambitions and Challenges

Ethiopia has reiterated its strategic goal of securing access to the Red Sea, a critical element of its foreign policy. The MoU with Somaliland is seen as a step towards achieving this objective in exchange for potential recognition of Somaliland’s status.

The visit by Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan highlighted Turkey’s active diplomatic engagement in the Horn of Africa, aiming to foster stability and cooperation in a region marked by complex geopolitical dynamics. As the mediation efforts continue, the international community closely watches for developments that could reshape the region’s political landscape.