Türkiye facilitates groundbreaking reconciliation deal between Ethiopia, Somalia PHOTO

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia have signed the Ankara Declaration, marking a significant step towards strengthening bilateral cooperation and regional stability.

The agreement, facilitated by Türkiye, aims to resolve longstanding disputes and promote shared prosperity, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

The declaration was signed during a trilateral meeting in Ankara, attended by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.

According to the declaration, the leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia reaffirmed their respect for and commitment to each other's sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity, as well as to the principles enshrined in international law, the United Nations Charter, and the Constitutive Act of the African Union.

The declaration states: "The parties have agreed, in the spirit of friendship and mutual respect, to leave behind their differences and disputes and resolutely move forward in cooperation towards shared prosperity."

Somalia acknowledges the sacrifices of Ethiopian forces in African Union operations. The parties also recognized the potential benefits of secure access to and from the sea for Ethiopia while respecting the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

"Ethiopia and Somalia have also agreed to closely cooperate in concluding mutually beneficial commercial agreements based on bilateral arrangements, including through contracts, leases, and similar mechanisms that will allow the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to benefit from reliable, safe, and sustainable access to the sea under the sovereign jurisdiction of the Federal Republic of Somalia. The parties have agreed to begin technical negotiations for these purposes in good faith, with Türkiye's facilitation, no later than the end of February 2025, and to finalize and sign them within four months," the declaration states.

The parties welcomed Türkiye's support in fulfilling these commitments and pledged to resolve any disputes regarding the interpretation or implementation of these obligations peacefully through dialogue, with Türkiye's support if necessary.

To note, Ethiopia and Somalia have a long history of tensions, primarily driven by territorial disputes and the complex political dynamics in the Horn of Africa. One of the central issues is the status of the Ogaden region, which is claimed by Ethiopia but also considered by some Somalis as part of their homeland. This dispute has led to several conflicts between the two countries, particularly during the 1977-1978 Ogaden War, where Somalia, under the leadership of Siad Barre, attempted to annex the region.

In recent years, tensions have resurfaced due to Ethiopia's relationship with Somaliland, a self-declared independent republic in the northwestern part of Somalia, which is not internationally recognized. Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding with Somaliland in 2023 to establish a naval base on the Gulf of Aden, which Somalia perceives as Ethiopian expansionism and a violation of its territorial integrity. This move has sparked strong opposition from Somalia, with the potential for military confrontation​

Moreover, the dispute is compounded by Ethiopia's broader geopolitical maneuvering, such as its rivalry with Egypt over the Nile and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which also affects Somalia. Egypt has strengthened its ties with Somalia, even offering military support, as a counterbalance to Ethiopia's growing influence​

Additionally, Ethiopia's internal ethnic conflicts, including those involving the Oromo and Tigray populations, add another layer of complexity to its foreign policy​

By Khagan Isayev