The indirect negotiations between Somalia and Ethiopia in Ankara have reportedly collapsed, signaling a significant setback in the diplomatic efforts to resolve the ongoing dispute between the two nations. Facilitated by Turkey, the talks aimed to address the controversy surrounding Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland, which Somalia perceives as a direct challenge to its sovereignty. Despite Turkey’s mediation, the discussions reached an impasse, with both parties unable to reconcile their divergent positions.

Somalia demanded the immediate cancellation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Ethiopia and Somaliland before engaging in further discussions. This MoU, signed on January 1, granted Ethiopia access to the Red Sea port of Berbera, a move that Somalia vehemently opposes. Somalia views the agreement as a violation of its territorial integrity and insists that the MoU must be voided to safeguard its national sovereignty.

On the other hand, Ethiopia leveraged the MoU as a strategic bargaining tool, seeking concessions from Somalia in exchange for its potential annulment. This fundamental disagreement over the MoU’s legitimacy became the primary obstacle in the negotiations, leading to a complete standstill in the talks. The lack of direct communication between the delegations further compounded the difficulties, making it impossible for any meaningful progress to be achieved.

Despite separate meetings held by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan with representatives from both countries, the efforts to find common ground proved unsuccessful. The collapse of these talks underscores the ongoing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, as both nations remain steadfast in their respective positions. The failure of the negotiations raises concerns about the future of diplomatic relations in the Horn of Africa, with the potential for increased instability in the region.