Addis Abeba– Ambassador Mesganu Arga, Ethiopia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, stated that Ethiopia is “committed to fully implement” the Ankara Agreement following discussions with a Somali delegation led by Ali Omar, Somalia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Somalia’s delegation, which arrived in Addis Abeba on 23 December, 2024, held talks with a team led by Ambassador Mesganu. State media reported that the discussions focused on “strengthening bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Somalia” and exploring ways to effectively implement the Ankara Agreement.
Ambassador Mesganu noted that the visit marks the first official working visit from Somalia after the signing of the Ankara Declaration.
The Ankara Declaration, signed in Ankara by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, reaffirmed “respect and commitment to one another’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity,” according to the joint statement.
During the discussions, both sides “expressed their commitment to maintaining continuity in their discussions to implement the agreement effectively and strengthen bilateral ties,” as reported by state media.
Ambassador Mesganu emphasized that “peace in Somalia is peace for Ethiopia” and highlighted the importance of collaboration to ensure sustainable peace, combat terrorism, and maintain stability.
Ali Omar described the discussions as “fruitful” and reiterated Somalia’s commitment to implementing the Ankara Agreement to deepen cooperation with Ethiopia.
The Ankara Declaration follows deteriorating relations between Ethiopia and Somalia earlier in 2024 after Ethiopia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Somaliland to lease 20 kilometers (12 miles) of coastline in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s independence—a move Mogadishu called an “infringement on Somalia’s territorial sovereignty.”
The agreement recognized the “potentially diverse benefits” of Ethiopia gaining “assured access to and from the sea,” while emphasizing respect for “the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.” It also stated that the leaders agreed “to forgo and leave behind differences and contentious issues.”
The Ankara Declaration, welcomed by the African Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom, aims to rebuild cooperation between Ethiopia and Somalia.
Following the agreement, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced plans to visit Ethiopia and Somalia in January or February 2025. AS
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