Relations between Somalia and Ethiopia have improved significantly following months of tension triggered by the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Ethiopia and Somaliland in January 2024.
The Somali government says current relations between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa are now being guided by the Ankara Declaration, an agreement reached in December 2024 through Turkish-mediated talks aimed at easing the diplomatic dispute between the two neighboring countries.
Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Mohamed Omar, recently stated that the Ankara Declaration remains the framework governing bilateral relations, while downplaying ongoing debate over the status of the Ethiopia-Somaliland agreement.
The crisis began on January 1, 2024, when Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a memorandum of understanding concerning Ethiopia’s pursuit of sea access.
Somalia strongly opposed the deal, arguing that Ethiopia had entered into an agreement involving Somali territory without the consent of the Federal Government of Somalia.
Mogadishu maintains that Somaliland is an integral part of Somalia and therefore lacks the authority to conclude agreements concerning Somali land or territorial waters with foreign governments.
The dispute led to a sharp deterioration in relations between Somalia and Ethiopia, raising concerns that the political standoff could undermine regional stability and security across the Horn of Africa.
Turkey later launched diplomatic efforts to ease tensions, culminating in talks between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Those negotiations resulted in the Ankara Declaration, which reaffirmed mutual respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and unity of both countries.
A key component of the agreement addressed Ethiopia’s long-standing desire for reliable access to the sea.
Under the declaration, Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions would be pursued through mutually beneficial commercial arrangements negotiated with Somalia while respecting Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
As a result, the Somali government has emphasized that any future discussions regarding Ethiopia’s access to the sea should involve Mogadishu directly rather than being pursued through separate agreements with Somaliland.
Despite the diplomatic breakthrough, Ethiopia and Somaliland continue to maintain important political and economic ties.
Somaliland views Ethiopia as a crucial regional partner, while Ethiopia considers Somaliland strategically important due to its location along the Gulf of Aden and its potential role in regional trade and maritime access.
The issue therefore remains sensitive, involving three interconnected actors with competing interests.
Somalia seeks to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial unity, Somaliland continues its pursuit of international recognition, and Ethiopia remains focused on securing dependable maritime access to support its economic and strategic ambitions.
Nevertheless, the Ankara Declaration has helped reduce tensions between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa, allowing both governments to restore diplomatic engagement and prioritize cooperation over confrontation.
The improvement in relations is considered important for regional security, as Somalia and Ethiopia share a long border, significant economic interests, and common security concerns, including efforts to combat Al-Shabaab and maintain stability in the Horn of Africa.
However, questions surrounding Somaliland, Ethiopia’s maritime ambitions, and Somalia’s sovereignty remain among the most sensitive issues affecting regional politics.
The future of Somalia-Ethiopia relations will largely depend on how the Ankara Declaration is implemented and whether both sides can manage these complex issues through continued dialogue and diplomacy.