MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia and Ethiopia have ended 11 months of diplomatic tension in the Horn of Africa by signing a deal which could restore their ties and prove vital in the fight against Al-Shabaab.
Dubbed the Ankara Declaration, the deal was signed shortly after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held talks with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Under the Turkish-brokered deal, both countries have agreed to respect each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, in line with international laws and the African Union’s principles.
They also agreed that Ethiopia’s access to the sea could offer potential benefits, with arrangements to be made official while respecting Somalia’s sovereignty.
The Ankara Declaration also nullified a deal on the Red Sea with Somaliland, a breakaway region seeking international recognition, undermining its long-held aspirations for independence from Somalia.
On Thursday, Abdirahman Irro was inaugurated as President of Somaliland, succeeding Muse Bihi Abdi, who signed the controversial deal with Ethiopia for sea access in exchange for recognition.
In his inauguration speech, President Abdirahman Irro vowed to prioritize foreign policy and seek international recognition for Somaliland based on a “valid legal dispute.”
He also pledged a diplomatic, unconditional approach to resolve the conflict with SSC-Khatumo, seeking peace and the exchange of prisoners from last year’s Las Anod war.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders condemned normalizing ties with Ethiopia, urging President Mohamud to avoid jeopardizing Somalia’s sovereignty and turning political negotiations into a threat.
Many Somalis expressed dismay on social media over talks with Ethiopia, citing the violation of Somalia’s sovereignty and hesitation to revoke the deal with the breakaway region.
They also argued Ethiopia’s failure to nullify its deal with Somaliland or offer an apology for violating Somalia’s territorial integrity and unity.
Critics question whether the Ankara Declaration undermines Egypt’s role, as Somalia has approved sending troops to replace Ethiopia in the new African Union mission set to begin next month.
They also wonder if Ethiopia will withdraw its troops by Somalia’s December 31 deadline or whether the new deal in Ankara will affect Somalia’s stance on their presence, now that tensions are resolved.
Despite the outcry, technical negotiations are set to begin in February 2025 and conclude within four months to finalize bilateral agreements for access under Somalia’s sovereignty.
Ethiopia is a major troop contributor to the current AU mission, which ends this month, but Somalia has ruled out its participation in the new mission, selecting Egypt as the lead instead.
It remains unclear whether Ethiopia will withdraw its forces from Somalia as Egypt, a regional rival over Nile waters, prepares to send troops for the new mission, which could pose a security threat to Ethiopia.
