In what is said to be a landmark agreement brokered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Somalia and Ethiopia have signed a joint declaration to resolve their dispute over the breakaway Somaliland region and Ethiopia’s push for access to the sea.
The announcement was made during a joint press conference in Ankara on Wednesday, where Erdogan praised the “historic reconciliation” between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Erdogan described the agreement as a “new beginning based on peace and cooperation” between the two Horn of Africa nations, emphasizing its significance for regional stability and economic collaboration. He expressed hope that the deal would eventually secure sea access for Ethiopia, the world’s most populous landlocked country.
“Especially with Ethiopia’s demands to access the sea, my brother Sheikh Mohamud will give the necessary support for accessing the sea,” Erdogan stated.
The agreement comes amid heightened tensions between the two neighbors following Ethiopia’s controversial January deal with Somaliland. The unconfirmed arrangement reportedly involved Ethiopia leasing a section of Somaliland’s coastline for a port and military base in exchange for diplomatic recognition, sparking strong opposition from Somalia’s federal government, which considers Somaliland part of its territory.
Erdogan highlighted the significance of the joint declaration, calling it a forward-looking agreement that lays a foundation for future cooperation. “This joint declaration focuses on the future, not the past, and records the principles that these two friendly countries, which are very important to us, will build from now on,” he stated in a social media post.
The agreement signals a potential easing of long-standing tensions in the region and positions Turkey as a key mediator in resolving complex disputes in the Horn of Africa. While details of the declaration remain undisclosed, the agreement is expected to pave the way for discussions on Ethiopia’s access to Somali ports and a framework for addressing sovereignty issues over Somaliland.
Observers view the deal as a significant step towards fostering regional peace and economic integration in the Horn of Africa.
