In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Ethiopia and Somalia have reached an agreement to resolve their long-standing dispute over Ethiopia’s plans to develop a port in Somaliland, a self-declared breakaway region of Somalia. The agreement, brokered in Ankara, Turkey, was lauded as a step toward regional stability and cooperation.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who facilitated the talks, celebrated the resolution as a “historic agreement” and emphasized its importance in securing landlocked Ethiopia’s access to the sea while respecting Somalia’s sovereignty. Flanked by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud during a press conference, Erdogan hailed their willingness to prioritize dialogue and mutual respect.
The rift between the two neighbors began in January when Ethiopia signed a contentious maritime agreement with Somaliland. Under the deal, Ethiopia would lease a 20-kilometer stretch of Somaliland’s coastline for 50 years to establish a naval base, reportedly in exchange for recognizing Somaliland as an independent state. Although Addis Ababa never officially confirmed this recognition, the agreement sparked outrage in Mogadishu, which views Somaliland as an integral part of Somalia.
Somalia condemned the deal as an act of aggression, raising tensions in a region already fraught with geopolitical complexities. The dispute also threatened to escalate as Egypt, angered by Ethiopia’s construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile River, expressed support for Somalia in the conflict.
The reconciliation, announced Wednesday night, marked a turning point. The joint declaration commits Ethiopia and Somalia to further dialogue, with technical talks scheduled for February. In the meantime, both countries aim to negotiate “mutually beneficial commercial arrangements” that will allow Ethiopia access to the sea under Somalia’s sovereignty.
Erdogan described the agreement as a “new beginning” for the Horn of Africa, adding, “I congratulate both my brothers for their commitment to reconciliation and their constructive approach.”
Also, read; Zimbabwe Senate Approves Bill to Abolish Death Penalty
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed affirmed Ethiopia’s respect for Somalia’s sovereignty, stating, “Our efforts to secure access to the sea are not meant to threaten Somalia. We have addressed the misunderstandings of the past year.” President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud echoed the sentiment, emphasizing Somalia’s readiness to collaborate with Ethiopia for regional progress.
The status of Ethiopia’s initial agreement with Somaliland remains uncertain. Somalia had previously demanded its cancellation as a prerequisite for peace talks. However, Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia over 30 years ago, has long sought international recognition and sees such agreements as steps toward legitimacy.
Notably, Somaliland’s newly inaugurated president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, who pledged to review the maritime deal during his campaign, did not mention it in his inauguration speech on Thursday.
Somaliland’s strategic location near the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea makes it a focal point for regional and international interest. Turkey’s growing influence in the Horn of Africa, through economic partnerships with Ethiopia and security ties with Somalia, underscores the geopolitical significance of this reconciliation.
As Ethiopia and Somalia prepare for February’s technical talks, the agreement in Ankara offers a hopeful path forward for two nations historically linked but often divided by complex disputes. For the Horn of Africa, this development could signal a broader move toward stability and cooperation in a region rife with challenges
