Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced plans to visit Ethiopia and Somalia in early 2025, following a successful mediation effort to resolve tensions between the two Horn of Africa nations.
Erdogan revealed his intentions after brokering a deal between Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud during talks in Ankara on December 11. The leaders agreed to end their nearly yearlong dispute, which stemmed from Ethiopia’s controversial agreement with Somaliland in January. This deal involved leasing Somaliland’s coastline for a port and military base in exchange for potential Ethiopian recognition of Somaliland’s independence, a move Somalia deemed a violation of its sovereignty.
Türkiye began mediating the conflict in July, hosting multiple negotiation rounds in Ankara and New York before achieving the breakthrough agreement. The resolution has been praised by international actors, including the African Union, the United States, and the European Union.
In another diplomatic development, Erdogan recently offered to mediate between Sudan and the UAE, following accusations by Sudan’s army-backed government that the UAE supports the RSF. Sudan remains embroiled in a devastating conflict that has displaced millions since April 2023.