Türkiye played 'pivotal role' in thaw between Somalia, Ethiopia: Indian media

By Anadolu staff

NEW DELHI (AA) – Türkiye is an “important” regional actor which has long played a “pivotal role” in mediating a dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia, an Indian media report said Thursday.

In a piece on “How Turkey’s (President Recep Tayyip) Erdogan Is Bridging Somalia-Ethiopia Rift,” Indian outlet NewsX said Ankara enjoys “good” diplomatic relations with both Horn of Africa countries.

“In fact," it said, in peace talks this Wednesday in the Turkish capital Ankara, Türkiye played "a key role in the efforts to try to mediate the conflict."

Erdogan hosted his Somalian counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Ankara before the three leaders announced a pact.

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

In the Ankara Declaration, the leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia “reaffirmed their respect and commitment to one another’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity," said Türkiye's Communications Directorate.

"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.”

The Indian media report added that for years, “Ankara has been actively involved in Somalia in terms of providing development assistance, humanitarian aid, and military training. In short, Turkey’s influence in the region has greatly expanded, particularly in major shipping lanes.”

According to NewsX, Ankara’s engagement has also “played a pivotal role as a mediator in past rounds of negotiations” between the countries.

“This engagement depicts a particular interest of Turkey to stabilize the region … Current talks between Erdogan and Abiy with Mohamud have been observed to breathe life into dialogue to come to a peaceful end in this conflict,” it added.

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.