‘Historic:’ Senegalese media outlet welcomes Türkiye-mediated Ethiopia-Somalia pact

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) — Senegalese media have hailed a "historic agreement" between Ethiopia and Somalia ending a nearly year-long feud between the East African nations of Ethiopia and Somalia with the help of Türkiye's mediation.

Senego, one of Senegal's leading news websites, used in the headline, “Ethiopia-Somalia: Historic agreement for enhanced cooperation under the aegis of Türkiye,” in its coverage of the Ankara Declaration late on Wednesday, underlining the key Turkish role in the diplomatic process.

Noting that Türkiye has also lent its support for the peaceful resolution of any potential disputes between the two countries in the future, the report said the tensions had been sparked by an earlier agreement in January this year through which Ethiopia hoped to gain access to the Red Sea access via Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted his Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed 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 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."