Previously, President Mohamud had insisted he would not engage with Ethiopia until it apologized for the agreement.
In a diplomatic breakthrough mediated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Somalia and Ethiopia have taken significant steps towards reconciliation, ending months of tension sparked by a controversial maritime agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland.
During a joint press conference at the presidential palace in Ankara on Wednesday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, under Erdogan’s facilitation, signaled a new era of cooperation and mutual understanding.
“We have reached an important stage in the Ankara process,” Erdogan stated, highlighting Turkey’s role in bringing the two nations together. He described the agreement as a “historic and self-sacrificing compromise” that would create a solid foundation for future cooperation.
The summit comes after months of diplomatic strain, particularly following Ethiopia’s memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland—a move Somalia viewed as a violation of its territorial sovereignty. Previously, President Mohamud had insisted he would not engage with Ethiopia until it apologized for the agreement.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized the shared history and cultural ties between the two countries, expressing Ethiopia’s desire for “safe and reliable access to the sea” which he believes will benefit the entire Horn of Africa region.
President Mohamud echoed these sentiments, stating that their “differences are limited” and their “common ground is very much.” He thanked Turkey for its mediation efforts and expressed readiness to contribute to Ethiopian-Somali friendship.
The agreement, reached during a summit in Ankara, addresses long-standing tensions between the two countries, particularly surrounding Ethiopia’s quest for sea access and Somalia’s concerns about territorial integrity.
Key provisions of the Ankara Declaration include:
- Mutual Respect and Sovereignty: Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to each other’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity, aligning with international law and African Union principles.
- Sea Access Breakthrough: Somalia has acknowledged Ethiopia’s need for reliable sea access, agreeing to work on bilateral commercial arrangements that would provide Ethiopia with secure maritime routes while respecting Somalia’s sovereignty.
- Diplomatic Roadmap: The countries have committed to:
- Initiating technical negotiations by the end of February 2025
- Finalizing and signing comprehensive agreements within four months
- Using Turkey as a facilitator for resolving potential future differences
- Recognition of Contributions: Somalia explicitly recognized the sacrifices of Ethiopian soldiers serving in African Union Missions, a significant gesture of mutual respect.
The breakthrough underscores Turkey’s growing diplomatic influence in the Horn of Africa, with President Erdogan positioning his country as a neutral mediator capable of resolving complex regional disputes.
The next critical phase will be the technical negotiations set to begin in February 2025, which will detail the specific modalities of Ethiopia’s sea access under Somalia’s sovereign authority.
HORSEED MEDIA
