Turkish President Erdogan Applauds Historic Reconciliation Between Somalia and Ethiopia
Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has praised the Somalian President and Ethiopian Prime Minister for their “historic reconciliation with great dedication” during Ankara-mediated peace talks aimed at resolving their longstanding dispute over the breakaway Somaliland region.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Ankara, Erdogan expressed gratitude to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for their commitment to peace and announced that both sides have reached a joint declaration to resolve their differences.
“We have taken the first step toward a new beginning based on peace and cooperation between Somalia and Ethiopia,” Erdogan stated. He emphasized Ankara’s aspiration to establish peace and stability in the region, referring to it as a “distinguished corner” of Africa.
Türkiye believes that the agreed-upon joint statement by Somalia and Ethiopia will lay a solid foundation for cooperation and prosperity built on mutual respect, Erdogan added.
In response to the efforts made by Türkiye in mediating the peace talks, Somali President Mohamud commended Türkiye’s role in working towards resolving the territorial and political conflicts between Somalia and Ethiopia. He affirmed that Somalia has always been and will continue to be a steadfast friend of Ethiopia.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Ahmed also expressed his appreciation for Turkey’s efforts and described the Ankara-brokered peace talks as a “family dialogue” that resulted in a “win-win” outcome for both countries.
According to the Ankara Declaration, Somalia and Ethiopia have agreed to commence technical negotiations with Türkiye’s facilitation by the end of February 2025 and to finalize them within four months. The joint statement also reaffirmed respect for Somalia’s territorial integrity, while acknowledging the potential benefits that Ethiopia may derive from secure access to the sea.
The successful reconciliation between Somalia and Ethiopia marks a significant milestone in fostering peace and cooperation in the region, demonstrating the power of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving conflicts.
