Egypt: Ankara Declaration key to strengthening Somalia's security

The principles outlined in the Ankara Declaration, signed between Somalia and Ethiopia, must be upheld in order to strengthen stability, unity, and security, according to a report from the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Egyptian foreign ministry announced that Egypt's Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, met with his Somali counterpart, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, who was visiting Cairo, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

It was noted that during the meeting, the ministers discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

“The principles contained in the Ankara Declaration, adopted on December 11, 2024, must be adhered to in order to strengthen the stability, unity, and security of Somalia,” the statement said.

Both sides emphasized the urgent need to establish a new "African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM)" to assist in stabilizing the country.

Furthermore, the discussion addressed cooperation between the two countries in various fields, including diplomacy, military and medical training, as well as enhancing Somalia's capacity.

“Egypt fully supports Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity in accordance with the principles of international law,” stressed the Egyptian foreign minister.

To recap, Somalia and Ethiopia reached a joint declaration aimed at resolving their longstanding dispute over the breakaway Somaliland region and Ethiopia’s push for sea access, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference in Ankara, Erdoğan thanked Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for their “historic reconciliation.” The Turkish leader expressed hope that the agreement would mark the beginning of a new era of peace and cooperation between the two nations and eventually secure Ethiopia, the world’s most populous landlocked country, access to the sea.

“With today’s meeting, especially concerning Ethiopia’s demand for sea access, I am confident that President Mohamud will provide the necessary support,” Erdoğan said.

Erdoğan also emphasized that the joint declaration was forward-looking, focusing on future cooperation rather than past issues. "This document outlines the principles that these two key countries, important to us, will follow from now on," he stated in a post on social media.

By Aghakazim Guliyev