President Erdogan highlights Türkiye’s role in resolving Ethiopia-Somalia dispute

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attended the “Meeting with Youth” program in Erzurum, where he addressed a variety of questions posed by participants.

One of the questions focused on Türkiye’s role in mediating the recent agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia.

Ethiopia-Somalia conflict: Longstanding dispute

The Ethiopia-Somalia conflict has spanned decades, rooted in territorial and strategic concerns. Ethiopia, despite its vast landmass—nearly twice the size of Somalia—lacks access to the sea, creating significant geopolitical challenges.

Erdogan noted that this geographical limitation has been a persistent source of frustration for Ethiopia.

“Many countries have attempted to mediate this issue, but none succeeded,” Erdogan said. Türkiye, leveraging its strong relations with both nations, facilitated a breakthrough.

This problem between Somalia and Ethiopia has been ongoing for many years. Ethiopia is a vast country, twice the size of Somalia, but it is landlocked. The fact that such a large land area is landlocked seriously disturbs them. Many countries have been involved in this issue over the years, but they have not been able to resolve it. Due to the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s special rapport with me, we discussed these issues extensively.

Also, We have been a country that embraced Somalia in its most critical period, and, of course, we supported Somalia when terrorist organizations were attacking them. We made investments there, and alongside those investments, we took steps against terrorist organizations in Somalia.

In addition, with the development of Ethiopia, we assured them, ‘We will give you all kinds of support.’ We provided them with all the support we could in the economy and defense sectors. After a meeting that lasted seven hours, and thanks to their cooperation (Somalia and Ethiopia), we signed an agreement and concluded the matter. After that, we went to our press conference room and announced it to the world. I also informed them, ‘Inshallah (if Allah wills – Allah willing), I will visit Ethiopia and Somalia in the first two months of next year, and we will announce this step we have taken to the world.’ This is how we communicated our decision.

Thanks to their efforts, they have carried this step forward in their own countries. This is how we announced a beautiful future for Africa to the whole world, and the whole world shared with us the pride of this step and the result we achieved.

When we are sincere and your intentions are good, everything is possible.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Türkiye’s support to Somalia and Ethiopia

Erdogan highlighted Türkiye’s historical engagement with Somalia, particularly during critical periods marked by heightened terrorist activities.

“We supported Somalia in its most challenging times. We invested in the country and took measures against terrorist organizations there,” Erdogan explained. Similarly, Türkiye extended robust support to Ethiopia, providing economic and defense assistance to help the country stabilize and rebuild.