Turkish President Erdogan to visit Ethiopia, Somalia after brokering landmark deal
By Mwangi Maina |
Speaking at an event in Turkey’s eastern province of Erzurum, Erdogan highlighted the lengthy negotiations that led to the breakthrough.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Sunday that he plans to visit Ethiopia and Somalia within the first two months of 2025.
The announcement follows a landmark agreement brokered by Turkey, which resolved nearly a year of tensions between the two African nations over maritime access to the Red Sea.
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Speaking at an event in Turkey’s eastern province of Erzurum, Erdogan highlighted the lengthy negotiations that led to the breakthrough.
“Thanks to their cooperation, we signed the deal and finished the job after a meeting that lasted seven hours,” Erdogan said.
“We went to our press conference room and announced it to the world. I told them God willing, I will visit Ethiopia and Somalia in the first two months of next year, and we will announce this step we have taken to the world.”
The agreement dubbed the Ankara Declaration, was announced after the leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia met Erdogan in the Turkish capital last week.
In a joint statement, the two African leaders reaffirmed their respect for each other’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity.
Commenting on Turkey’s role in the agreement, Erdogan attributed the success to Ankara’s strong relations with both countries.
“This problem between Somalia and Ethiopia has been going on for many years. Ethiopia is a huge place, twice the size of Somalia, but it is landlocked,” he explained.
“The fact that a place with such a large and gigantic land is landlocked seriously disturbs them. Many countries have been involved in this issue until today, but they have not been able to solve it.”
‘Special rapport’
Erdogan highlighted his “special rapport” with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, which he said helped facilitate discussions on the dispute.
Tensions escalated earlier this year when Ethiopia signed an agreement with Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland to allow it access to the Red Sea port of Berbera.
Turkey’s role in Somalia was also a key factor in the negotiations. Erdogan emphasised Turkey’s longstanding support for Somalia during its most challenging times.
“We made investments there. Along with those investments, we also took steps against terrorist organisations in Somalia,” Erdogan said.
“We provided all the support we could in the economy and in defence,” he added.
Erdogan expressed pride in the success of the Ankara Declaration, calling it a significant achievement for Africa.
“This is how we announced a beautiful future to Africa; we announced it to the whole world. When we are sincere, when our intentions are good, everything can happen,” he said.
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