Ankara, Turkey(Mogadishu24)-Somalia and Ethiopia have reaffirmed their commitment to resolving their differences through peaceful dialogue following Turkey-brokered talks in Ankara on December 11, 2024.

The meeting, hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, marked the third round of discussions aimed at ending the dispute triggered by Ethiopia’s controversial port deal with the breakaway Republic of Somaliland on January 1, 2024.

The high-level meeting brought together Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Discussions were held in a cordial and constructive atmosphere, resulting in the “Ankara Declaration”—a joint communique that outlines the path forward for resolving outstanding issues and fostering regional cooperation.

Key Agreements from the Ankara Declaration

1. Commitment to Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity:
   Both leaders reaffirmed their respect for each other’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity, adhering to principles of international law, the United Nations Charter, and the Constitutive Act of the African Union.
2. Forging Cooperation for Shared Prosperity:
   Somalia and Ethiopia agreed to leave behind contentious issues and prioritize mutual respect and cooperation for shared development and regional stability.
3. Ethiopia’s Access to the Sea:
   • Somalia acknowledged the importance of Ethiopia’s access to and from the sea while maintaining respect for Somalia’s territorial integrity.
   • Both sides agreed to pursue mutually beneficial commercial arrangements through bilateral agreements, including contracts and lease agreements.
   • Such arrangements will be implemented under the sovereign authority of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
4. Technical Negotiations:
   The two sides decided to initiate technical negotiations no later than the end of February 2025. These talks, facilitated by Türkiye, will aim to finalize agreements within four months.
5. Türkiye’s Role:
   Both Somalia and Ethiopia expressed their appreciation to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his leadership and ongoing commitment to the mediation process. Türkiye will continue to provide facilitation and support to ensure the successful implementation of the commitments.

Recognition of Ethiopia’s Role in Somalia

Somalia also recognized the sacrifices of Ethiopian troops serving within African Union missions and their contributions to regional peace and security.

A Historic Step Forward

The agreement signifies a breakthrough after previous talks in July and August failed to produce results. The Ankara Declaration offers a framework for Ethiopia to achieve secure and sustainable access to the sea while respecting Somalia’s sovereignty—a long-standing point of contention.

With technical negotiations scheduled to begin early next year, the international community will closely monitor the progress of this new spirit of cooperation between the two Horn of Africa nations.