African Union welcomes Somalia-Ethiopia pact, praises mediation by Turkish President Erdogan

By Mohamed Dhaysane

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - The African Union on Thursday praised Türkiye's president for his role in brokering a pact that ended nearly a year of tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia.

The continental body welcomes the agreement signed by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, hosted and mediated by Erdogan in the Turkish capital Ankara, African Union Commission chief Moussa Faki Mahamat said in a statement.

"The Chairperson of the Commission welcomes this important act of high responsibility on the part of the leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia," he said in a statement on Thursday.

He urged both parties to implement the relevant measures adopted "without delay."

Mahamat also congratulated Erdogan for the support he provided the two parties in their shared commitment to resolve "their differences through consultation and dialogue, in the best interests of their countries and peoples."

Erdogan hosted Mohamud and Abiy in Ankara on Wednesday before the three leaders announced the pact.

“We have taken the first step toward a new beginning based on peace, cooperation between Somalia, Ethiopia,” Erdogan said at a joint news conference in Turkish capital.

In 1991, Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia, leading to the establishment of two separate nations. The separation resulted in Ethiopia losing direct access to the Red Sea and key ports.

The two East African countries have been at odds since Ethiopia struck a deal with Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland on Jan. 1 to use its Red Sea port of Berbera. Türkiye has been working to end tensions between the two countries.

However, after their meeting with Erdogan in Ankara, Somalia and Ethiopia affirmed each other's sovereignty, unity and independence in a joint statement, called as Ankara declaration, according to Türkiye's Communications Directorate.

The leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia “reaffirmed their respect and commitment to one another’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity, as well as the principles enshrined in international law, the Charter of the United Nations and the Constitutive Act of the African Union," it added.

"They agreed, within a spirit of friendship and mutual respect, to forgo and leave behind differences and contentious issues and forge ahead in a cooperative manner to pursue shared prosperity."