Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the president of Somalia, and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, his Ethiopian counterpart, are scheduled to satisfy in Ankara, Turkey, to debate the continuing dispute over Somaliland. The assembly was initiated by Ethiopia, in keeping with Somali officers accustomed to the matter. If the assembly holds, it will likely be the primary between the 2 leaders since Addis Ababa signed a controversial maritime settlement with Hargeisa in January. That settlement grants Ethiopia entry to a 20-kilometer stretch of Pink Sea shoreline in trade for potential recognition of Somaliland’s independence. Somalia, in the meantime, objects to the settlement because it considers Somaliland a part of its territory. Somalia has since branded the deal unlawful and accused Ethiopia of infringing on its sovereignty, which Addis Ababa denies. The difficulty has raised considerations about potential battle within the Horn of Africa area. Earlier talks mediated by Turkey to resolve it, nonetheless, have failed.
SOURCE: VOA NEWS