Ethiopia and Somalia Reach Historic Agreement to End Port Dispute

Ethiopia and Somalia have concluded discussions mediated by Turkey, agreeing to navigate their contentious maritime dispute centered around a port deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland.

Ethiopia and Somalia, two neighboring countries in the Horn of Africa, have reached a consensus to mitigate the tensions arising from Ethiopia's controversial maritime agreement with the self-declared independent region of Somaliland. This development, announced during a press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, signifies a potential shift in regional dynamics, with both parties committing to respect each other’s sovereignty and set a course for mutual cooperation.

The negotiations took place in Ankara, Turkey, where Erdogan hailed the agreement as a "first step towards a new beginning," underscoring the significance of resolving the tension that had inflamed the region since January. Following Ethiopia’s signing of a deal to lease a section of Somaliland's coastline, concerns escalated over the implications for Somalia's national integrity, particularly given Egypt’s backing of Somalia due to ongoing disputes related to Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam on the Nile.

During the conference, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed readiness to collaborate with Ethiopia, while Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assured that his plans for maritime access would not infringe upon Somali sovereignty. The accords reached would require both nations to convene for "technical talks" by February aimed at establishing commercial arrangements that grant Ethiopia port access under Somalia's terms.

Ethiopia's partnership with Somaliland, which seeks international recognition after breaking away from Somalia over three decades ago, sparked fears of further regional conflict, especially after the potential acknowledgment of Somaliland's independence by Ethiopia.

While the recent political changes in Somaliland, following the election of a new president, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, have introduced uncertainty regarding the maritime deal, the absence of explicit rejection during his inaugural address suggests continued deliberation. The geopolitical importance of Somaliland as a gateway to the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea underscores the critical nature of these negotiations for both regional and international stakeholders.

The agreement comes amidst a shifting landscape in the Horn of Africa, with Turkey's emerging role as a diplomatic intermediary illustrating new power dynamics in a region historically marked by rivalry and conflict.