Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has praised the leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia for achieving a “historic reconciliation with great dedication” during Ankara-mediated peace talks aimed at resolving their dispute over the breakaway Somaliland region.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Ankara on Thursday, Erdogan commended Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for their commitment to peace. He announced that both parties had agreed on a joint declaration to address the longstanding conflict.
“We have taken the first step toward a new beginning based on peace and cooperation between Somalia and Ethiopia,” Erdogan said. He emphasized Türkiye’s aspiration to promote stability and harmony in this significant region of Africa.
Türkiye views the joint declaration as a solid foundation for fostering mutual respect, collaboration, and prosperity between the two nations, Erdogan added.
Somali President Mohamud expressed gratitude for Türkiye’s role in mediating the dispute and reaffirmed Somalia’s unwavering friendship with Ethiopia. “Somalia has always been, and will always remain, a true friend of Ethiopia,” he said.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Ahmed echoed these sentiments, describing the Ankara-brokered peace talks as a “family dialogue” that yielded a “win-win” solution for both countries.
Under the terms of the Ankara Declaration, both sides agreed to initiate technical negotiations facilitated by Türkiye by the end of February 2025, with the goal of concluding them within four months. The declaration reaffirms respect for Somalia’s territorial integrity while acknowledging Ethiopia’s potential economic benefits from secure sea access.
Erdogan emphasized the importance of this agreement, calling it a step toward lasting peace in the region.
