Ethiopia, Somalia Reach Agreement In Ankara-Mediated Peace Talks, Turkish President Announces

Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced late Wednesday that Ethiopia and Somalia reached an agreement to solve the conflict between the two nations in Ankara-mediated peace talks.

“We have taken the first step toward a new beginning based on peace, cooperation between Somalia, Ethiopia,” President Erdogan said at a joint news conference with his Somalian counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Ankara’s fundamental expectation is to establish peace and stability “in this distinguished corner” of Africa between Somalia and Ethiopia, he added.

Türkiye believes the agreed-upon joint statement by Somalia and Ethiopia will establish a solid foundation for cooperation and prosperity based on mutual respect, he said.

Erdogan said Türkiye, Somalia and Ethiopia will plan future steps together and implement projects to boost regional peace and prosperity

He also praised Somalia’s president and Ethiopia’s prime minister for “reaching this historic reconciliation with great dedication” during the Ankara-mediated peace talks.

During the joint press conference, Erdogan emphasised the importance of the agreement for ensuring Ethiopia’s access to the sea, which is vital for its economy.

“I believe with the meeting we had today, especially with Ethiopia’s demands to access the sea, my brother Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will give the necessary support for accessing the sea,” he stated.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reiterated that Ethiopia’s pursuit of secure maritime access is intended as a peaceful initiative that would benefit neighboring countries.

“We have addressed the misunderstandings that have occurred over the past year. Ethiopia’s desire for secure access to the sea is a peaceful venture and will benefit our neighbors; it should be viewed through the lens of collaboration, not skepticism,” he remarked.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh also highlighted the significance of this agreement in halting their differences, stating that Somalia is “ready to work with the Ethiopian leadership and the Ethiopian people.”

The leaders agreed to initiate technical discussions by February 2025, aiming to complete them within four months.

These talks will focus on establishing commercial arrangements that ensure Ethiopia’s reliable and sustainable access to the sea under Somalia’s sovereignty.

Ahmed hailed Türkiye for its efforts in resolving the Somalia-Ethiopia conflict during the talks.

Mohamud also hailed Türkiye’s efforts in resolving the perennial territorial and political conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia.

Somalia is firmly opposed to Somaliland’s independence bid.

Landlocked Ethiopia, which has thousands of troops in Somalia to fight al Qaeda-linked insurgents, said it would officially recognise Somaliland’s independence in exchange for a strategic strip of land, near where the Red Sea meets the Indian Ocean.

Turkey has close ties with both Ethiopia and Somalia, training Somalia’s security forces and supplying development assistance in return for a foothold on a key global shipping route.

Türkiye has been working to end tensions between the two countries.