Turkey peace agreement between Ethiopia & Somalia.
2024
Within the past two weeks, Turkey successfully mediated a significant peace agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia. This breakthrough was achieved during talks in Ankara, led by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in attendance. The agreement aimed to address tensions stemming from Ethiopia's controversial January 2024 deal with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia. That agreement granted Ethiopia access to the Red Sea via Somaliland's Berbera port in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s independence, which Somalia viewed as an infringement on its sovereignty. This led to strained relations between the two nations. Turkey’s impartiality and strong ties to both Ethiopia and Somalia were critical to the mediation effort. Turkey has historically supported Somalia's unity and sovereignty, providing military and infrastructure support, while also maintaining strong economic and diplomatic relations with Ethiopia. This positioned Turkey as a trusted mediator capable of fostering dialogue and resolving the dispute. The deal marks a step towards reducing regional tensions and promoting stability in the Horn of Africa.