The Somali president is conducting discussions in Turkey amid concerns with Ethiopia.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud landed in Ankara on Monday night, heading a team to attend discussions mediated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Now, in their third session, the meetings try to address increasing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia over a disputed pact with Somaliland.

The Somali administration has set a clear line: no direct contact with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed until Addis Ababa retracts its arrangement with Somaliland and respects Somalia’s sovereignty and geographical unity.

The negotiations come at a crucial time for Somalia, which considers Ethiopia’s moves as an insult to its territorial integrity. President Mohamud’s group comprises Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, intelligence director Mahad Mohamed Salad, former Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Guled, and Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi. Their presence demonstrates Mogadishu’s willingness to safeguard its national interests.

“Somalia remains steadfast in its commitment to sovereignty and unity,” a Somali government source remarked. “Any negotiations must respect these principles.”