Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrived in Ankara this afternoon, where he was welcomed at the Presidential Palace by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The visit coincides with the arrival of Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, reportedly in Ankara to participate in the third round of Turkish-mediated discussions aimed at addressing tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia.
Turkey previously hosted two rounds of negotiations amidst a growing rift sparked by Ethiopia’s plan to develop a port in Somaliland, a move that has drawn strong opposition from Mogadishu. Ethiopia’s port development initiative is viewed as part of its broader strategy to secure access to the Red Sea.
According to a statement from Prime Minister Abiy’s office, the Ethiopian and Turkish leaders engaged in bilateral talks along with their respective delegations. However, the statement did not confirm whether the discussions included efforts to de-escalate tensions with Somalia.
This marks the first occasion where both PM Abiy and President Hassan Sheikh are in Ankara simultaneously, though it remains unclear whether they will meet directly. Ethiopia, which has a considerable military presence in Somalia to combat al-Shabaab militants, has hinted at supporting Somaliland’s bid for independence in exchange for strategic advantages in the Red Sea corridor.
