Qatar hails Türkiye-mediated pact to end Somalia-Ethiopia conflict

By Ibrahim al-Khazen

ISTANBUL (AA) – Qatar on Thursday welcomed a Türkiye-mediated pact between Somalia and Ethiopia to end their differences.

A Foreign Ministry statement called the pact an important step that “paves the way for technical negotiations in reaching a comprehensive and final resolution to the dispute between the two neighboring countries."

It voiced hope that Somalia and Ethiopia “will engage together in technical negotiations, leading to a result that fosters a new chapter of constructive cooperation between the two countries, in a way that serves the aspirations of both peoples for stability and prosperity, while enhancing peace, security, and stability in the Horn of Africa region.”

The ministry expressed appreciation for Türkiye’s efforts and “its crucial role in facilitating the achievement of this consensus between the two countries."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted his Somalian counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ankara on Wednesday before the three leaders announced the Ankara Declaration.

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

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," Türkiye's Communications Directorate said.

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.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar