ANKARA: An agreement known as the Ankara Declaration has been signed between Ethiopia and Somalia, marking a significant step towards resolving longstanding disputes between the two nations. The accord, mediated by Turkey, aims to enhance regional cooperation in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie praised the agreement as a pivotal move toward strengthening ties not only between Ethiopia and Somalia but also across the broader region.
According to Anadolu Agency, the declaration was announced during a joint press conference in Ankara, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. President Erdogan emphasized the leaders’ commitment to a new beginning grounded in peace and cooperation. The Ankara Declaration reaffirms both countries’ respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, urging them to set aside past differences in pursuit of shared prosperity.
The historical backdrop of the
agreement includes Ethiopia’s loss of direct access to the Red Sea following Eritrea’s independence in 1991, which significantly altered regional dynamics. Tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia have been heightened since January, when Ethiopia secured an agreement with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region of Somalia, to utilize the Red Sea port of Berbera. Turkey’s mediation in the Ankara Declaration underscores its efforts to alleviate these tensions and promote unity in the region.