Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited Mogadishu to advance reconciliation with Somalia, marking progress after the Ankara Declaration. This agreement emphasizes mutual respect for sovereignty and Ethiopia’s military support in Somalia, aimed at combating jihadism. Improved relations with Turkey also play a critical role in this diplomatic landscape.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed arrived in Mogadishu on February 27, welcomed by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohammed. This visit marks a significant step towards rebuilding relations between Ethiopia and Somalia following the December signing of the “Ankara Declaration” brokered by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The agreement emphasizes mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
As part of the Ankara Declaration, Ethiopia renounced a controversial memorandum from January 1, 2024, that aimed to recognize Somaliland’s independence in exchange for a maritime concession. The Somali government had labeled this earlier understanding as a violation of its territorial integrity. The declaration stipulates Somalia’s commitment to ensure Ethiopia’s access to the sea, asserting Somali sovereignty in the process.
Ethiopia will contribute 2,500 troops to the newly established African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which replaces the previous mission aimed at stabilizing the region. This contingent will be the second largest, following Uganda’s deployment of 4,500 troops. AUSSOM is intended to bolster the Somali military’s fight against extremist groups operating in the area.
Turkey has been a prominent player in Somalia, maintaining military presence and bases there. Recent diplomatic efforts have improved relations between Ethiopia and Turkey, facilitated by ideological alignments between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party and President Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party. This collaborative atmosphere is illustrated by the Ethiopian delegation’s participation in the AKP Congress in Turkey.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s visit to Mogadishu signifies a pivotal moment in enhancing bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Somalia, particularly after the Ankara Declaration. This agreement focuses on mutual respect and the resolution of territorial disputes, while Ethiopia’s military commitment aims to strengthen Somali defense against jihadist threats. The improving ties with Turkey further underscore a cooperative regional framework for stability in the Horn of Africa.
Original Source: www.fides.org
