The African Union (AU) has hailed the recent reconciliation between Ethiopia and Somalia as an “important milestone” in regional diplomacy.
This development concludes a year-long conflict initiated by Ethiopia’s pursuit of sea access through an agreement with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region that Somalia considers part of its sovereign territory.
In January 2024, Ethiopia and Somaliland signed a memorandum of understanding granting Ethiopia access to over 19 kilometres of Somaliland’s coastline near the port city of Berbera for 50 years.
In return, Ethiopia agreed to recognize Somaliland as an independent state, making it the first United Nations member to do so.
The MoU was met with strong opposition from Somalia, which viewed it as a violation of its territorial integrity. The Somali government recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia and declared the deal “null and void”.
The dispute escalated tensions in the Horn of Africa, with Somalia threatening to replace Ethiopian troops in the African Union peacekeeping mission with Egyptian forces.
This move was particularly contentious given the longstanding rivalry between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile River.
The prospect of Egyptian troops operating near Ethiopia’s border raised concerns about regional stability.
In response to the escalating tensions, the African Union called for calm and mutual respect between Ethiopia and Somalia.
The AU emphasized the importance of de-escalation and encouraged both nations to refrain from actions that could further strain their relations.
Turkey played a pivotal role in mediating the conflict. In December 2024, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan facilitated separate talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Ankara.
These discussions culminated in the Ankara Declaration, wherein both leaders agreed to resolve their dispute and work towards a mutually beneficial arrangement that would provide landlocked Ethiopia with access to the sea under Somalia’s sovereignty.
Following the Ankara Declaration, President Mohamud visited Addis Ababa in January 2025 to further solidify the renewed bilateral relations. During this visit, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration and mutual respect.
A significant outcome of the reconciliation is that Ethiopian troops will continue their role in Somalia as part of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), succeeding the previous African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
This decision underscores the restored trust and cooperation between the two countries.
The resolution of this conflict has broader implications for regional dynamics. Somalia’s initial consideration of replacing Ethiopian troops with Egyptian forces had the potential to intensify the existing tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia.
The successful mediation and subsequent reconciliation have averted a possible escalation, contributing to the stability of the Horn of Africa.
The African Union’s endorsement of the reconciliation highlights the significance of African-led solutions to conflicts within the continent.
The AU’s balanced approach, coupled with effective mediation by Turkey, has been instrumental in resolving the dispute.
This development not only strengthens the bilateral relationship between Ethiopia and Somalia but also sets a positive precedent for conflict resolution in the region.
