In a significant breakthrough, Somalia and Ethiopia have reached an agreement to grant Ethiopia access to Somali ports, resolving longstanding tensions over maritime access.
The deal, brokered in Ankara by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, represents a turning point in relations between the two Horn of Africa nations.
The agreement, outlined in the Ankara Declaration, seeks to balance Ethiopia’s economic and strategic needs as a landlocked nation with Somalia’s concerns over sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The deal addresses years of friction between the two nations over Ethiopia’s persistent calls for access to the Red Sea.
Previous efforts by Ethiopia to secure port access by signing a deal with the secessionist Somaliland had strained relations, with Somali leaders and citizens expressing fears that such arrangements could compromise their national sovereignty.
The Ankara Declaration explicitly emphasizes respect for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, stating, “Somalia recognizes the sacrifices of Ethiopian soldiers within the African Union Missions. They acknowledged the potentially diverse benefits that could be derived from Ethiopia’s assured access to and from the sea, whilst respecting the territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.”
Framework for Cooperation
Under the agreement, Ethiopia will gain sustainable access to Somali ports through commercial arrangements such as contracts and leases. Somalia will retain full sovereign authority over these arrangements.
Both nations have committed to finalizing technical negotiations by February 2025, with the aim of signing agreements within four months.
The declaration adds, “They further agreed to closely work together to finalize mutually advantageous commercial arrangements…which will allow the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to enjoy reliable, secure and sustainable access to and from the sea, under the sovereign authority of the Federal Republic of Somalia.”
Ethiopia, with over 120 million people, has long been hampered by its landlocked status, which limits its economic potential.
Access to Somali ports is expected to significantly enhance its trade capabilities, while Somalia stands to benefit from increased port revenues and strengthened ties with its neighbor.
The agreement also aims to ease past tensions, which had been fueled by Ethiopia’s interference in Somali affairs and territorial disputes.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called the deal a chance to reset relations, emphasizing the importance of “leaving behind differences and contentious issues” for shared prosperity.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali echoed this sentiment, expressing gratitude for the agreement and the commitment to work collaboratively.
Turkey will continue to facilitate negotiations and help resolve any disputes arising during implementation.