Hassan Sheikh, Somalia’s President, is likely to meet with the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to break 11-month deadlock in bilateral relations.
According to Somali news sources, Hassan Sheikh Mehmood is departing for Turkey. No official statements have been announced by Ethiopian and Somali authorities about likely meeting between the two leaders. Reportedly, Hassan Sheikh Somalia’s President is expected to meet with the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Turkey.
Since January this year, Ethiopia Somalia diplomatic relations have been cut off. Somalia withdrew its ambassador to Ethiopia and expelled Ethiopian ambassador after Ethiopia signed a controversial Memorandum of Understanding with self declared country Somaliland to gain access to sea through Somaliland and establish a military base there. MoU, if implemented, will lead to recognition of Somaliland as a country by Ethiopia. Somaliland is internationally recognized part of Somalia. Somalia has been opposing the MoU, calling it a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
President of Somalia has been refusing to hold any direct meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister. Somalia wants Ethiopia to withdraw from MoU with Somaliland before direct talks with Ethiopia.
Ethiopia and Somalia have held two rounds of indirect talks this year in Turkey. In August the second round of talks ended with no progress. Third round of talks planned for September 17 was postponed.
Turkish Foreign Minister in September announced that Turkey would host the third round of mediatory talks between Ethiopia and Somalia after separate meetings with the leaders of Ethiopia and Somalia.
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