Somalia and Ethiopia have reached a historic agreement to resolve their longstanding dispute over the breakaway Somaliland region and Ethiopia’s push for sea access, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced. The agreement, hailed as a significant step towards reconciliation, was disclosed during a joint news conference in Ankara on Wednesday, where both Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed were present.
Erdogan praised the two leaders for their “historic reconciliation” and expressed hope that the deal would foster peace and cooperation between the neighboring Horn of Africa nations. He emphasized that the agreement marks a new beginning, focusing on future collaboration rather than past grievances.
“This joint declaration focuses on the future, not the past, and outlines the principles that these two friendly countries, which are very important to us, will build from now on,” Erdogan said on social media after the meeting.
The deal is also seen as a step toward addressing Ethiopia’s long-standing issue of being landlocked. Ethiopia, the most populous landlocked country in the world, has long sought access to the sea. Erdogan expressed confidence that Somalia, under President Mohamud, would support Ethiopia’s bid for maritime access.
The agreement comes after tensions flared earlier this year when Ethiopia reportedly struck a deal with Somaliland to lease part of its coastline for a port and military base in exchange for diplomatic recognition. While Addis Ababa did not confirm the details, the agreement provoked strong opposition from Somalia, which considers Somaliland—an autonomous region that declared independence over 30 years ago—as part of its territory.
The conflict over the Somaliland issue had raised international concerns, drawing in regional players like Egypt and Eritrea, and escalating fears of renewed conflict in the Horn of Africa.
Despite declaring independence, Somaliland is not recognized by the African Union or the United Nations as a sovereign state, and Somalia continues to view it as part of its territory.
