Turkey Advocates for Somalia's Sovereignty and Ethiopia's Access to Sea
During the ongoing conflict between Ethiopia and Somalia, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has emphasized the necessity of recognizing Somalia's sovereignty and providing Ethiopia with a sea outlet. Speaking at the Third Ministerial Review Conference of the Turkey-Africa Partnership in Djibouti, Fidan outlined Turkey's commitment to developing a framework agreement that addresses the historical challenges faced by both nations.
Fidan stated, "The essence of the issue requires unconditional recognition of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in addition to meeting Ethiopia’s need to access the sea through peaceful means." He highlighted the critical role that maritime trade plays for Ethiopia, a landlocked country with a significant population, making access to the sea essential for its economic interests.
Turkey's Diplomatic Efforts in the Horn of Africa
Emphasizing the importance of regional stability, Fidan noted that reaching an agreement between Ethiopia and Somalia is a top priority for Turkey. He mentioned discussions with his Djiboutian counterpart, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, aimed at enhancing proposals and ideas that could lead to a comprehensive framework agreement. Turkey is actively engaging with all concerned parties to facilitate a resolution that is satisfactory to both Ethiopia and Somalia.
The Path to Peaceful Resolution
The Turkish Foreign Minister reiterated Turkey's commitment to support the peace process in the region, underscoring the need for cooperation among the involved nations. The proposed framework agreement is seen as a potential pathway to overcoming long-standing tensions and establishing a cooperative relationship between Ethiopia and Somalia, ultimately contributing to stability in the Horn of Africa.
