On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s announced plans to visit the East African countries of Ethiopia and Somalia in early 2025.
This highlights the successful diplomatic efforts led by Türkiye to resolve the nearly yearlong dispute between the two Horn of Africa neighbors.
The agreement, brokered during talks in Ankara on December 11 between Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, is being hailed as a historic breakthrough.
The dispute stemmed from Ethiopia’s deal with Somaliland in January, which allowed Ethiopia to lease a stretch of coastline for a port and military base.
Somalia’s federal government strongly opposed this agreement, viewing it as undermining Somali sovereignty and its territorial integrity, as Somaliland remains internationally unrecognized as independent.
Erdoğan’s role as mediator has strengthened Türkiye’s growing influence in the Horn of Africa, showcasing its ability to facilitate high-level negotiations in the region.
His planned visits, scheduled for early 2025, signify a continued commitment to fostering peace and enhancing bilateral ties with both Ethiopia and Somalia.
This development is a crucial step toward regional stability and cooperation in the Horn of Africa.