Turkey Mediates Historic Reconciliation Between Somalia and Ethiopia: Ankara Declaration Paves the Way

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that Somalia and Ethiopia have agreed on a joint declaration to resolve their disputes. The announcement came after trilateral talks held in Ankara with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

In a joint press conference, Erdoğan described the reconciliation as a historic step towards peace and cooperation between the two nations. He highlighted the trust both countries placed in Turkey, which facilitated significant progress within the "Ankara Process" launched eight months ago.

"This marks the first step towards a new beginning based on peace and collaboration between Somalia and Ethiopia," Erdoğan said, emphasizing the importance of regional stability and development in the Horn of Africa.

Details of the Ankara Declaration:

The Ankara Declaration states that Somalia and Ethiopia have agreed to begin technical negotiations no later than the end of February 2025 and aim to reach conclusions within four months. The declaration also underscores the need to respect Somalia’s territorial integrity while acknowledging the potential benefits of Ethiopia’s secure access to the sea.

Erdoğan noted that Turkey will work in coordination with both countries to implement joint projects that promote peace and prosperity in the region. He also affirmed that Ethiopia's demand for access to the sea would remain a key focus in future discussions.

Background of the Tensions:

Relations between Somalia and Ethiopia have been strained since January 1, 2023, when Ethiopia signed an agreement with Somaliland, granting Addis Ababa access to the region’s coastline on the Gulf of Aden for commercial and military purposes.

The Somali government rejected the agreement, deeming it unlawful and a violation of the country’s sovereignty, while the Ethiopian government defended it, arguing that it posed no threat to any party.