UAE praises Türkiye-mediated agreement between Somalia and Ethiopia
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) holds a joint press conference with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (L) and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (R) at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkiye on December 11, 2024. (AA Photo)
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has welcomed a Türkiye-brokered agreement between Somalia and Ethiopia aimed at resolving longstanding disputes, describing it as a critical step toward stability in the Horn of Africa.
In a statement issued Thursday, the UAE’s Foreign Ministry highlighted the importance of the agreement, saying it would enhance communication and dialogue between the two nations. The ministry praised Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s role in facilitating the deal.
“The discussions represent an important step toward promoting regional and international development and peace in a way that will benefit the two countries and their peoples, serve shared interests, and ensure greater prosperity and development,” the statement read.
The UAE also reaffirmed its strong ties with both Somalia and Ethiopia and reiterated its commitment to fostering peace and stability in the region. The Gulf nation emphasized the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means.
The agreement was formalized in Ankara on Wednesday, following a meeting between Erdogan and the leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia. According to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate, the joint declaration, named the Ankara Declaration, underscored the two nations’ commitment to “sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity.”
The declaration also called for both nations to move past differences and contentious issues, instead pursuing shared prosperity through mutual respect and cooperation.
Tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia have been fueled by Ethiopia’s agreement with Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland earlier this year to use the port of Berbera on the Red Sea. Ethiopia, which lost access to the Red Sea after Eritrea’s independence in 1991, has been seeking alternative trade routes and port access to bolster its economy.
Türkiye has actively engaged in mediating these disputes, aiming to promote peace and constructive collaboration in the region. The UAE, in its statement, expressed support for these efforts, noting the importance of international cooperation to ensure regional development and stability.
