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Somali delegation arrives in Ethiopia to follow up on ‘Ankara Declaration’

December 24, 2024 at 3:05 pm

This general view shows an Ethiopian national flag flying infront of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in Guba, Ethiopia. [Photo by AMANUEL SILESHI/AFP via Getty Images]

A government delegation from Somalia arrived in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Monday to oversee the implementation of the “Ankara Declaration”, an agreement reached between the two countries to resolve a dispute that has lasted nearly a year.

The Somali National News Agency (SONNA) reported that the delegation from the federal government was headed by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ali Balad. According to the agency, the visit also aims to “enhance relations based on mutual respect and fruitful cooperation between Somalia and Ethiopia, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral partnerships across various fields.”

The visit is further intended to “build good relations with neighbouring countries, based on full respect for each nation’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a “historic agreement” on 11 December between Somalia and Ethiopia during a joint press conference in Ankara with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

READ: Erdogan mediates in Somalia-Ethiopia rift over Somaliland

Under the Ankara Declaration, the two countries agreed to “work together to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes in trade-related matters through bilateral agreements, including contracts, leases and similar instruments. These agreements will allow Ethiopia to secure safe, reliable and sustainable access to and from the Red Sea, under Somali sovereignty.”

To achieve these objectives, and with Turkish facilitation, “The parties decided to commence technical negotiations in good faith by the end of February 2025 at the latest, aiming to conclude these talks and sign an agreement within four months.”

Relations between the neighbouring states deteriorated after Ethiopia signed an agreement on 1 January 2023 with the separatist Somaliland region. This deal granted Addis Ababa access to Somaliland’s coast along the Gulf of Aden for commercial and military purposes.

Somalia rejected Ethiopia’s agreement with Somaliland, calling it “illegal, a threat to good neighbourly relations, and a violation of its sovereignty.” The Somali position had Arab and Egyptian support. Meanwhile, the Ethiopian government defended the agreement, asserting that it “does not harm any party or country.”

READ: Erdogan to visit Ethiopia and Somalia in early 2025 after landmark peace deal