For the first time in Somali history, the Somali government is negotiating with a hostile foreign government, which over 500 years wished to take control and ownership of Somali seas, to grant her the right “to enjoy reliable, secure and sustainable access to and from the sea (the Ankara Declaration).”
The Somali people are deeply distressed by the ongoing developments in Ankara, and Prof. Senator Abdi Ismail Samatar has voiced his concerns, stating that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has yet to share the terms of reference for Somalia’s negotiating team. On his X, the Senator wrote, “The negotiation between Somalia and Ethiopia has begun in Turkey. The Somali president has not shared the terms of reference of our negotiators with Parliament. The Somali people must demand the publications of the terms of reference.”
TECHNICAL NEGOTIATIONS TO GRANT ETHIOPIA “RELIABLE, SECURE AND SUSTAINABLE ACCESS TO AND FROM” SOMALIA SEAS COMMENCES IN ANKARA
For the first time in Somali history, the Somali government is negotiating with a hostile foreign government, which over 500 years wished to take… https://t.co/vVR0bgu3Kg pic.twitter.com/fT4r6BK57z
— Daljir Media (@radiodaljir) February 19, 2025
Meanwhile, Ethiopian Foreign Ministry in a just issued press release stated that “both delegations demonstrated their commitment to the letter and spirit of the Ankara Declaration [full access of Somali seas to Ethiopia for her right to enjoy reliable, secure and sustainable access to and from the sea].”
The press release added, “The delegations began the concrete work to transform this vision into reality and lay the ground for mutually beneficial sustainable development.”
Somalia’s negotiating team has yet to issue any statement.
> Daljir Media
COMMENTS