BRUSSELS: The European Union has expressed its approval of a new declaration agreed upon in Ankara between Ethiopia and Somalia, which was facilitated by Turkey. The agreement represents a step toward easing regional tensions in the Horn of Africa, an area historically fraught with conflict.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the EU issued a statement underscoring the agreement’s significance as a reflection of the importance of mutual respect and dialogue in reducing tensions in the region. The EU reaffirmed its commitment to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of both Somalia and Ethiopia, in line with international law principles. Furthermore, the EU acknowledged Turkey’s pivotal role in the mediation process and conveyed its willingness to support ongoing efforts by the involved parties while continuing its participation in mediation strategies.
The agreement has been met with widespread approval from regional and international organizations, as it aims to defuse tensions that had the potent
ial to escalate into conflict in the unstable Horn of Africa. Previously, relations between the two nations deteriorated after Ethiopia signed a deal in January with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region not recognized by Somalia. This deal, involving the lease of a coastal strip for port and military base development, was deemed a violation of Somali sovereignty, prompting international concern.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud traveled to Ankara for discussions, following two earlier rounds of talks that had yielded limited progress.