Turkiye mediating in Somalia-Ethiopia talks on port deal

Turkiye is mediating in talks between Somalia and Ethiopia over a port deal that Addis Ababa signed with the breakaway region of Somaliland earlier this year, according to four officials familiar with the situation, Reuters has reported. The negotiations are the latest attempt to mend diplomatic ties between the east African neighbours, whose relationship soured in January when Ethiopia agreed to lease 20 km (12 miles) of coastline from Somaliland, in exchange for recognition of its independence. Mogadishu called the agreement illegal and retaliated by expelling the Ethiopian ambassador and threatening to throw out thousands of Ethiopian troops stationed in the country helping in the battle against Islamist insurgents. Spokespeople for the Somali government, Turkiye’s foreign ministry and Ethiopia’s foreign […]