By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is set to visit Ethiopia on August 3, 2024, to engage in high-level talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Foreign Minister Taye Atske Selassie.
This visit aims to address bilateral relations, the reconciliation process with Somalia, and other regional issues. The trip follows a July meeting in Ankara where Fidan hosted both Ethiopian and Somali counterparts, marking a significant step toward resolving their disputes.
The international community has praised Türkiye’s mediation efforts as essential for establishing a sustainable dialogue amid rising regional tensions. Diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Ethiopia, which have deep historical roots dating back to 1896, have flourished, with trade volume increasing from $27 million in 2000 to $345 million in 2023. Türkiye’s role in mediating the Ethiopian-Somali conflict is seen as crucial, particularly after Ethiopia’s contentious Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland in January 2024, which has exacerbated regional tensions.
