Somalia and Ethiopia, longtime rivals in the Horn of Africa, will renew their efforts to ease tensions on Monday with a new round of talks in Ankara.
The talks, originally scheduled for September 2, have been brought forward as diplomatic efforts intensify to resolve the longstanding dispute between the two nations.
The primary goal of the negotiations is to find a mutually agreeable solution that grants Ethiopia access to international waters through Somalia without compromising the latter’s territorial sovereignty.
Ethiopia, Africa’s most populous landlocked country, has sought a maritime outlet since Eritrea gained independence in 1991.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has taken on a mediating role in the conflict.
Following an initial meeting between the two countries’ foreign ministers in Ankara in July, Fidan visited Ethiopia in August to meet with its leaders.
High-level contacts with Somalia have also been ongoing.
While the specific details of Monday’s talks remain undisclosed, it is expected that representatives from both countries will discuss their respective concerns and priorities.
The two nations have a history of conflict, having fought two wars in the past century.
Recent tensions escalated when Ethiopia reached an agreement with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, in January.
This deal granted Ethiopia access to the sea but also recognized Somaliland’s independence, infuriating Somalia.
Despite previous attempts at indirect negotiations, progress has been limited, prompting Turkey to accelerate its mediation efforts. Ankara has secured support from regional countries to facilitate the talks and hopes to bring about a lasting resolution to the conflict.