Ethiopia, Somalia Commit to Resolving Maritime Dispute in Landmark Ankara Agreement

…Erdogan Hails “Historic Reconciliation” Between Horn of Africa Neighbours

Ethiopia and Somalia have ended their prolonged dispute over Addis Ababa’s plans to construct a port in the breakaway republic of Somaliland.

The agreement was reached during diplomatic talks mediated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Turkey.

President Erdogan described the resolution as a “historic agreement,” expressing optimism that it would secure landlocked Ethiopia’s access to the sea while maintaining regional stability.

At a joint press conference on Wednesday night, Erdogan stood alongside Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, both of whom pledged to uphold each other’s sovereignty.

The dispute, which began in January, escalated when Ethiopia signed a maritime agreement with Somaliland, a region Somalia claims as part of its territory.

The controversial deal granted Ethiopia a 50-year lease on a 20-kilometre stretch of Somaliland’s coastline to establish a naval base.

In return, Ethiopia was reportedly poised to recognise Somaliland’s independence, though Addis Ababa stopped short of explicitly confirming this.

Somalia condemned the move as an “act of aggression,” leading to fears of a broader regional conflict, particularly as Egypt has aligned with Somalia due to its opposition to Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam on the River Nile.

Ankara Declaration: A Path to Reconciliation

The Ankara joint declaration, unveiled after months of diplomatic wrangling, outlines a framework for collaboration between the two Horn of Africa nations.

Both countries agreed to work towards “mutually beneficial commercial arrangements” that would provide Ethiopia with access to the sea under Somalia’s sovereignty.

Technical discussions are scheduled for February to formalise the details.

“This is the first step towards a new beginning,” Erdogan announced. “I congratulate both my brothers for their commitment to peace and thank them for their constructive attitude.”

Prime Minister Abiy affirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to peaceful relations, stating, “Our efforts to secure reliable access to the sea are not a threat to Somalia. We have addressed the misunderstandings of the past year.”

President Mohamud echoed this sentiment, pledging Somalia’s readiness to collaborate with Ethiopia for mutual benefit.

The agreement’s implications for Somaliland remain unclear. The region, which declared independence from Somalia over three decades ago, has long sought international recognition.

Last month, Somaliland elected a new president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, who had previously vowed to review the maritime deal with Ethiopia.

However, during his inauguration speech on Thursday, he made no reference to the agreement.

Located strategically at the gateway to the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, Somaliland’s geostrategic position underscores the significance of its unresolved status in the Horn of Africa.

Turkey’s involvement in brokering the deal highlights its growing influence in the region.

With deep economic ties to Ethiopia and robust security partnerships with Somalia, Ankara has positioned itself as a key player in resolving conflicts in the Horn of Africa.

As the two neighbours move towards reconciliation, the agreement is seen as a crucial step in stabilising a volatile region while fostering economic cooperation.

However, the path forward remains fraught with challenges, particularly concerning Somaliland’s ambitions and Ethiopia’s maritime aspirations.

The international community will be watching closely as Ethiopia and Somalia navigate the next steps in their historic reconciliation.

Source: BBC News