Ethiopia and Somalia set march date for next round of Ankara Declaration talks
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan compared the Ankara Declaration to the Development Road project, calling it a similarly strategic initiative with the potential to foster long-term stability and economic growth.
Ethiopia and Somalia have announced that the next round of technical negotiations on the Ankara Declaration will take place in March 2025. This follows the first round of discussions held on February 17 in Ankara, Turkey, where both nations reaffirmed their commitment to the agreement.
In a joint statement, the two countries emphasised that they had begun “concrete work to transform this vision into reality”.
More To Read
- Ethiopia bondholders say IMF report 'artificially' creates solvency issue
- Kenyan leaders express support for Raila Odinga ahead of AUC chairperson’s election
- Ethiopia signs Sh231 million deal with UN Office for Project Services to upgrade blood storage capacity
- Ethiopia's election body suspends TPLF amid wrangles over control of party that administers Tigray region
They also emphasised their commitment to adhering to both the formal and informal aspects of the declaration to establish a foundation for mutually beneficial sustainable development.
Turkey, which has been playing a mediatory role, will continue to facilitate the upcoming negotiations.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan highlighted the significance of regional cooperation in an increasingly polarised world. He described the Ankara Declaration as a “historic opportunity to reshape the future of the Horn of Africa.”
“The success of these technical negotiations is more crucial than ever. Ensuring stability and prosperity in the region is imperative, and the steps taken in this process will serve as an example for other nations,” Fidan said.
Strategic initiative
Fidan compared the Ankara Declaration to the Development Road project, calling it a similarly strategic initiative with the potential to foster long-term stability and economic growth. He reaffirmed Turkey’s readiness to actively support and play a role in implementing the agreement moving forward.
During the technical negotiations, participants discussed Turkey’s role in connectivity projects, referencing models such as the Middle Corridor, the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, and the Development Road initiative. Additional discussions focused on customs regulations, port projects, and the potential benefits of transportation corridors for regional development.
Somalia and Ethiopia have been engaged in ongoing diplomatic efforts, particularly following tensions arising from Ethiopia’s memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland in early 2024. Somalia condemned the agreement, which granted Ethiopia access to 20 kilometres of Somaliland’s coastline, as a violation of its territorial sovereignty.
Simmering tensions
Turkey has played a crucial role in mediating between the Horn of Africa nations, seeking to prevent further conflict in an already volatile region. Tensions have simmered since Ethiopia signed the MoU with Somaliland, which offered Ethiopia a coastal lease in exchange for formal recognition of Somaliland’s independence.
Somalia, which considers Somaliland part of its territory, strongly opposed the agreement. However, diplomatic efforts led to a high-level meeting in December 2024, where Somali and Ethiopian leaders agreed to initiate technical talks that would uphold Somalia’s territorial integrity while allowing Ethiopia access to the sea.
Ethiopia, with a population of over 120 million, is the world’s most populous landlocked country, making access to the sea a critical strategic objective. As negotiations continue, both nations will need to balance their respective interests with regional stability.
The upcoming talks in March 2025 are expected to address these concerns further, with Turkey continuing to play a key role in the facilitation of discussions.
Top Stories Today
