The agreement was revealed during President Hassan Sheikh’s working visit to Ethiopia on Saturday, January 11, 2025.

This significant development comes just weeks after the two leaders signed a Turkey-brokered agreement on December 11, 2024, which resolved tensions surrounding Ethiopia’s controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland.

The MoU had proposed granting Ethiopia access to the Red Sea and establishing a military base, a move Somalia opposed, citing violations of its territorial integrity.

According to a one-page statement issued by the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s Office, the leaders agreed to fully restore diplomatic representation in their respective capitals, with ambassadors resuming posts in Mogadishu and Addis Ababa.

They also pledged closer cooperation in regional and multilateral forums to address shared challenges.

“The leaders reaffirmed that the stability of the region requires strong cooperation between the two countries based on mutual trust, confidence, and respect. They agreed to work together to further coordinate efforts to improve regional relations, fostering common understanding and shared progress,” the statement said.

Security and Economic Cooperation in Focus

Both leaders emphasized the importance of robust security collaboration to combat extremist militant groups threatening regional stability.

Somalia recently agreed to include Ethiopian forces in the newly-formed African Union peacekeeping mission, known as AUSSOM, which replaces ATMIS.

Economic cooperation was also a key focus, with agreements to expand infrastructure linkages aimed at boosting trade and investment.

The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the Ankara Declaration, vowing to expedite technical negotiations to foster stronger partnerships.

Turkey’s role in facilitating the Ankara Declaration was highlighted, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expected to visit Ethiopia and Somalia next month in a landmark trip to strengthen ties.

Turkey has deep connections with both nations, maintaining a large embassy and a military base in Mogadishu, and recently signing undisclosed military and oil agreements with Somalia.

Turkey is also one of Ethiopia’s largest foreign investors, with investments exceeding $2.5 billion across sectors like textiles, construction, and manufacturing.

Over 200 Turkish companies operate in Ethiopia, employing tens of thousands of locals.

Mixed Reactions in Somalia

While the joint communiqué was praised by Ethiopian officials and Somali diplomats as a milestone, it faced backlash in Mogadishu.

Some Somali Members of Parliament (MPs) criticized the agreement, calling President Hassan Sheikh a “traitor” and demanding his impeachment.

“The president did not inform Parliament about his trip to Addis Ababa. He failed to seek parliamentary approval to restore ties with Ethiopia, despite a January 2024 parliamentary resolution declaring Ethiopia an enemy state,” said MP Abdirahman Abdishakur, referring to a bill passed by Somalia’s Federal Parliament that banned diplomatic relations with Ethiopia.

Despite internal criticism, this agreement is seen as a step towards fostering peace, stability, and development in the Horn of Africa.

Commenting on the development, Somali State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Omar, stated, “Through dialogue, trust, and mutual respect, Somalia and Ethiopia can overcome challenges and unlock a future of collaboration and progress for the Horn of Africa.”

Ethiopia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mesganu Arga Moach, echoed similar sentiments on X (formerly Twitter), calling the agreement “a big milestone forward in our bilateral and brotherly relations.”

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The Somali delegation arrived in Addis Ababa on Monday, focusing on implementing the Ankara Declaration.

This agreement seeks to resolve disputes and provide Ethiopia access to the Red Sea while maintaining Somalia’s territorial integrity.

Tensions between the two countries escalated in early 2024 after Ethiopia signed a controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, granting Ethiopia Red Sea access.

Somalia initially demanded the reversal of the Addis Ababa MoU but has since softened its stance to engage in negotiations.

According to a statement from Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Mesganu Arga Moach, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to implementing the Ankara Declaration.

Mesganu emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral ties to achieve lasting peace, stability, and development in the region.

Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Omar, highlighted the discussions’ scope, which included enhancing regional peace and security by combating terrorism and fostering improved bilateral relations to ensure full implementation of the Ankara Declaration.

Amid these discussions, Somalia issued a statement accusing Ethiopian forces in the Gedo region of involvement in a deadly clash between Somali federal troops and Jubbaland state forces.

The violence in Dollow, a town near the Ethiopian border, resulted in over 10 Somali soldiers killed and several others detained by Jubbaland forces.

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed dismay over the violence, attributing it to “third parties” attempting to destabilize the region.

The Ankara Agreement, signed on December 11, 2024, followed tensions ignited by Ethiopia’s MoU with Somaliland, which included leasing land along Somaliland’s coastline for a marine base in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s independence.

Somalia condemned the deal as a violation of its sovereignty.

Under Turkey’s mediation, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reached a joint declaration in Ankara.

The declaration outlined plans for technical talks starting February 2025, with a four-month timeline to conclude discussions.

The agreement emphasizes Somalia’s territorial integrity while acknowledging potential benefits of Ethiopia’s access to the sea.

Both sides agreed to finalize mutually beneficial commercial arrangements to secure Ethiopia’s access under Somalia’s sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Somaliland’s newly elected president, Abdirahman Irro, who assumed office in November, has announced plans to review the MoU signed by his predecessor, Muse Bihi Abdi.

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