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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is set to undertake a working visit to Ethiopia and Somalia in the first months of 2025. The visit follows a breakthrough hailed as a “historic agreement” between Ethiopia and Somalia, brokered by President Erdoğan, which resolved a year-long diplomatic feud between the two nations.
The agreement, reached after eight hours of intensive talks in Ankara, is expected to pave the way for renewed peace and cooperation in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in Ankara for the third round of Turkish-mediated talks, following unsuccessful negotiations in July and October.
Addressing a joint press conference, President Erdoğan described the deal as a significant step toward a new chapter of collaboration between Ethiopia and Somalia. “This agreement marks the beginning of a new era based on mutual understanding and shared goals,” Erdoğan stated. He expressed confidence that the accord would resolve Ethiopia’s need for access to the sea while respecting Somalia’s sovereignty.
The conflict, which stemmed from Ethiopia’s controversial deal with Somaliland—a breakaway region of Somalia—over a coastal port and military base, had escalated tensions in the region. The agreement aims to address Ethiopia’s desire for “safe and reliable access to the sea,” a long-standing issue for the landlocked country.
Prime Minister Abiy emphasized the importance of the deal for Ethiopia’s regional development, noting, “This will benefit not only Ethiopia but also our neighbors and the region at large.” Somali President Mohamud also welcomed the deal, calling it a resolution to their differences and reaffirming Somalia’s commitment to cooperation. “We are ready to work with Ethiopia’s leadership and people to build a future of shared prosperity,” he stated.
Turkey’s role as a mediator has been crucial, with President Erdoğan personally overseeing the talks. This agreement highlights Turkey’s growing influence in the Horn of Africa, where it has worked to foster stability and collaboration.
The upcoming visit by President Erdoğan marks another milestone in strengthening Turkey’s diplomatic and economic ties with both Ethiopia and Somalia, offering hope for a more cooperative future in the region as 2024 draws to a close.
Thank you Brother President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for bringing the leaders of these two countries of fraternal peoples back to their senses. If not for colonialism, these neighbors of the same branch of humanity, would have been citizens of one country but it left with one loaded with contempt and the other one with mistrust. I hope your commendable effort will remain fruitful and the peoples of the two nation will live in peace and harmony. You deserve a Nobel Peace Prize for that. Masha’Allah