MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – The leaders of Ethiopia and Somalia on Wednesday reached a landmark agreement to set aside their differences and collaborate on securing a framework that could grant Addis Ababa access to the sea through commercial arrangements, including lease, contracts and other similar modalities.
This breakthrough was achieved following a high-stakes meeting hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Before the signing of the declaration, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held separate meetings with the two leaders, who had not met since the January signing of a naval base agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland that sparked tensions between them.
The two countries committed to upholding each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity, while ensuring that Somalia provides Ethiopia with secure and sustainable maritime access under the sovereign authority of the Somali Federal Republic.
Under the terms of the declaration, the two nations pledged to initiate technical negotiations in good faith, with the goal of finalizing and signing an agreement by no later than the end of February 2025 and within a four-month timeframe.
