ANKARA, Turkey – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Ankara on Monday night, leading a team of senior officials for critical talks mediated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The discussions aim to address rising tensions with Ethiopia over its recent agreement with Somaliland, a move Somalia sees as a direct challenge to its sovereignty.

President Mohamud’s message is clear: Ethiopia must retract the deal with Somaliland and respect Somalia’s territorial integrity before any further discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed can move forward. For Somalia, the agreement represents a serious threat to national unity and could destabilize the region.

Accompanying the president are key officials, including Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, intelligence chief Mahad Mohamed Salad, former Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Guled, and Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi. Their presence signals Somalia’s determination to defend its interests and find a peaceful resolution.

This round of talks comes at a crucial moment, as Somalia seeks Turkey’s support in mediating the conflict. The outcome could not only reshape relations between Somalia and Ethiopia but also influence the region’s approach to resolving sensitive disputes.