"Ethiopia-Somalia Agreement in Turkey: Resolving Border Disputes and Strategic Tensions in the Horn of Africa"

In December 2024, Ethiopia and Somalia reached a significant agreement in Ankara, Turkey, aimed at resolving tensions stemming from Ethiopia's maritime access ambitions and its dealings with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region of Somalia.

Background of the Dispute

The discord originated in January 2024 when Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland. This MoU granted Ethiopia access to the port of Berbera in exchange for Ethiopia's future recognition of Somaliland's independence. Somalia's federal government, which views Somaliland as part of its sovereign territory, perceived this agreement as a violation of its sovereignty, leading to heightened tensions between Addis Ababa and Mogadishu.

Preliminary Agreed Discussion Points

Under Turkish mediation, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud agreed to:

Respect Sovereignty: Both nations committed to acknowledging and respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Technical Talks: They planned to initiate technical discussions to address the specifics of Ethiopia's need for sea access while ensuring Somalia's territorial rights are upheld. These talks are scheduled to commence by February 2025.

Mutually Beneficial Arrangements: The leaders expressed a willingness to explore commercial arrangements that would provide Ethiopia with access to the sea under terms that respect Somalia's sovereignty.

Historical Context of Ethiopia-Somalia Border Conflicts

The relationship between Ethiopia and Somalia has been historically strained, primarily due to border disputes and territorial claims. A significant point of contention has been the Ogaden region, inhabited predominantly by ethnic Somalis but incorporated into Ethiopia during colonial boundary demarcations. In the late 1970s, Somalia and Ethiopia engaged in the Ogaden War, with Somalia seeking to annex the region. The conflict ended unfavorably for Somalia, but the underlying territorial disputes have persisted, occasionally flaring up and affecting diplomatic relations.

Strategic Implications

Ethiopia's quest for sea access is driven by its landlocked status since Eritrea's independence in 1993. Access to ports is vital for Ethiopia's economic aspirations and regional trade integration. However, unilateral actions to secure such access, especially through agreements with regions like Somaliland, challenge Somalia's territorial integrity and could destabilize the Horn of Africa. The recent agreement in Turkey, facilitated by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, reflects a diplomatic effort to balance Ethiopia's economic needs with Somalia's sovereignty concerns, aiming to foster regional stability and cooperation.

In conclusion, while the Ankara agreement marks a positive step towards resolving specific disputes, the historical complexities and strategic interests at play necessitate continued diplomatic engagement to ensure lasting peace and collaboration between Ethiopia and Somalia.

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgr7v1evvgo?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://apnews.com/article/296b4f3e4e38a92f489b854a8b4e7ccd?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/whats-behind-deteriorating-somalia-ethiopia-relations-2024-10-30/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

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