Somalia and Ethiopia have entered the Ankara Declaration, enhancing bilateral relations through port access agreements amidst fears of U.S. recognition of Somaliland under Trump. President Abiy strategically secures interests without confrontations, while Somalia seeks to preserve unity and integrity against Somaliland aspirations.
On December 11, 2024, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopia’s President Abiy Ahmed reached the “Ankara Declaration” following discussions facilitated by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The agreement emphasizes mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the establishment of beneficial trade relations, allowing Ethiopia secure access to Somali ports under Somali authority. This move appears to counteract the potential U.S. recognition of Somaliland’s self-declared sovereignty under Donald Trump’s administration.
The geopolitical landscape in the Horn of Africa is shifting, particularly with the recent election of Donald Trump in the United States. Concerns have arisen within Somalia regarding the possible recognition of Somaliland, which recently signed an agreement with Ethiopia for access to its ports in exchange for military and economic cooperation. The backdrop features longstanding tensions involving Somaliland, Somalia, and the interests of external powers such as the United States and neighboring countries like Egypt and Eritrea.
The Ankara Declaration signals a significant development in Somali-Ethiopian relations, countering Somaliland’s recent pact with Ethiopia. As President Abiy navigates contentious regional dynamics and external pressures from the Trump administration, this agreement reflects Somalia’s strategic response to emerging challenges regarding its territorial integrity and alliances. Observers caution the incoming U.S. administration to tread carefully to avert destabilizing consequences in the Horn of Africa.
Original Source: www.eurasiareview.com
