Ethiopian, Somali officials meet in Ankara for talks under Turkish mediation

By Gokhan Celiker

ISTANBUL (AA) - Ethiopian and Somali delegations began fresh talks at reconciliation on Monday under Turkish mediation.

Officials from both countries came to the Turkish capital Ankara as part of a series of continuing talks between the countries, said diplomatic sources.

The parties, both present at the Turkish Foreign Ministry, are not meeting face-to-face, the sources said, highlighting that Turkish officials are carrying out "shuttle diplomacy" under the coordination of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Separate meetings are being held with each side to seek reconciliation within a common framework as part of a "long process," the sources said.

Earlier Monday, Fidan separately received his Ethiopian and Somali counterparts in Ankara.

Ties between Ethiopia and Somalia have worsened since Ethiopia struck a deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland on Jan. 1.

Türkiye has been working to end tensions between the two Horn of Africa countries.