Four officials with knowledge of the situation say that the Turkey is now mediating between Somalia, Ethiopia and a port agreement Addis Ababa made with the Somaliland breakaway region earlier this year.

Negotiations are the latest effort to repair diplomatic ties. In January, Ethiopia and Somaliland's relationship soured when Ethiopia agreed in exchange for Somaliland's recognition of independence to lease 20 km of coastline.

Mogadishu branded the agreement illegal, and in retaliation expelled the Ethiopian Ambassador and threatened to expel thousands of Ethiopian soldiers stationed within the country fighting Islamist insurgents.

Requests for comment from the Somali government as well as the Turkish foreign ministry and Ethiopian government, foreign ministry and intelligence service were not immediately responded to.

Somaliland's spokesperson, who has struggled for international recognition, despite enjoying relative peace and stability and governing themselves since 1991 when they declared independence, stated that it was not participating in the talks.

Two officials stated that the goal of the negotiations was unclear and the expectations for a resolution are low.

It seems unlikely that Somalia will soften its position on refusing dialogue with Ethiopia until it withdraws (the agreement)." One of the officials stated.

"I can't see any way forward and I don’t expect that these discussions will produce much."

Since President Recep T. Tayyip. Erdogan's first visit to Mogadishu, in 2011, the Turkish government has been a close partner of Somalia.

In February, the two countries signed a defence agreement under which Ankara would provide maritime security assistance to Somalia in order to help that African nation defend its territorial water.

The Turkish government has provided scholarships to Somalis for them to study in Turkey and built schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. In return, the country gained a foothold on an important global shipping route and in Africa. (Reporting and editing by Hereward Holland, Alex Richardson and Hereward Endeshaw; Additional reporting and editing by Dawit Endshaw and Tuvan Gumrukcu)