Ethiopia and Somalia have reached a critical agreement to ease diplomatic tensions and plan formal negotiations by February over Ethiopia’s controversial maritime deal with Somaliland.
This development follows disputes ignited by a January 1 memorandum between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi.
The deal granted Ethiopia a 50-year lease of 20 kilometers of Somaliland’s coastline in exchange for potential diplomatic recognition, sparking objections from Somalia’s federal government, which deemed the agreement a violation of its sovereignty.
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Mediated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the two nations signed the "Ankara Declaration" after the third round of talks. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Ahmed committed to upholding each other’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity by international law and the principles of the African Union and the UN Charter.
Both leaders agreed to prioritize cooperation over discord, aiming for mutual prosperity. Somalia acknowledged Ethiopia’s contributions to peacekeeping missions in the region and expressed openness to Ethiopia’s maritime access under Somalia’s sovereign authority.
The declaration outlined a roadmap for technical negotiations starting in February, facilitated by Turkey, with a deadline of four months to finalize agreements on Ethiopia’s access to the sea through contracts or leases.
Erdogan commended both sides for reaching a compromise, emphasizing the importance of regional stability. Mohamud celebrated the resolution, calling it a step toward strengthening ties and ensuring a prosperous future for both nations. Abiy echoed these sentiments, highlighting the deep historical and cultural bonds between Ethiopians and Somalis.
Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991 but lacks international recognition, remains central to the dispute as Somalia continues to view it as part of its territory.
