Ethiopia and Somalia Sign Historic Ankara Declaration to Resolve Disputes

In a major diplomatic breakthrough mediated by Türkiye, Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to resolve their long-standing disputes through peaceful negotiations. The landmark agreement, known as the Ethiopia-Somalia Ankara Declaration, was announced on Wednesday following discussions in Ankara involving Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

A New Era of Cooperation

The declaration sets the stage for technical negotiations, scheduled to begin by February 2025 and conclude within four months. These talks will address Ethiopia’s push for secure sea access and Somalia’s insistence on maintaining its territorial integrity.

“We have put a halt to our differences,” said Somali President Mohamud during a joint press conference. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy expressed optimism, stating, “Ethiopia’s desire for secure access to the sea is a peaceful venture and will benefit our neighbours.”

Key Highlights of the Ankara Declaration

1. Respect for Somalia’s Sovereignty: Ethiopia affirmed Somalia’s territorial integrity while Somalia acknowledged Ethiopia’s need for secure and sustainable sea access.
2. Technical Negotiations: The two nations committed to concluding their discussions within four months, facilitated by Türkiye.
3. Collaborative Commercial Arrangements: Both countries pledged to finalise agreements that promote mutual prosperity and cooperation.

President Erdoğan described the declaration as a turning point, emphasising that it looks “toward the future, not the past,” and aims to ensure peace and cooperation in the Horn of Africa.

Background of the Dispute

Tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia escalated earlier this year when Ethiopia struck a deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland to lease coastline for port access. This move angered Somalia, which views Somaliland as part of its sovereign territory.

Somaliland, which declared independence over 30 years ago, has built a stable governance structure but remains unrecognised by the African Union and the United Nations.

Ethiopia’s landlocked status, a consequence of Eritrea’s independence in 1991, has fuelled its efforts to secure maritime access. The agreement with Somaliland heightened tensions, with Somalia branding it a violation of sovereignty.

Türkiye’s Role in Mediation

Since July, Türkiye has been mediating the dispute, hosting multiple rounds of talks. Erdoğan’s leadership in bringing Ethiopia and Somalia to the table reflects Türkiye’s growing influence in the Horn of Africa.

Türkiye’s ties with both nations are strengthened by economic partnerships, defence cooperation agreements, and infrastructure investments.

Implications for the Horn of Africa

The Ankara Declaration represents a significant step toward stability in a region plagued by conflict and insecurity. The agreement could:

• Foster economic growth by enabling Ethiopia’s access to the sea under Somalia’s sovereign framework.
• Enhance regional cooperation, reducing the risk of conflicts fuelled by territorial disputes.
• Serve as a model for peaceful resolution of disputes in other parts of Africa.

Next Steps

The technical negotiations will focus on aligning Ethiopia’s maritime aspirations with Somalia’s sovereign authority. Both leaders have expressed their commitment to ensuring the success of this agreement, supported by Türkiye’s continued facilitation.

As Ethiopia and Somalia chart a new course toward collaboration, the Ankara Declaration underscores the potential for diplomatic solutions to long-standing challenges in Africa.