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
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.
