On December 12, 2024, Somalia and Ethiopia finalized a mediation agreement in Ankara, Turkey, following a series of meetings facilitated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The agreement aims to resolve longstanding diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed participated in the discussions, which emphasized mutual respect, unity, and the preservation of territorial integrity. A statement released after the meeting indicated that any future agreements must be approved by the Somali government.
The agreement stipulates that maritime activities are to be limited to commercial purposes and conducted through legal frameworks that benefit both countries and contribute to economic development.
This mediation effort began eight months prior due to a diplomatic crisis triggered by Ethiopia's memorandum of understanding with the separatist region of Somaliland, which included provisions for maritime access in exchange for recognition of Somaliland's independence. Previous negotiations, led by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, faced delays amid rising tensions following Somalia's military cooperation agreement with Egypt.
The reconciliation agreement did not address the memorandum of understanding, which Somalia had previously insisted must be annulled for any agreement with Ethiopia to be accepted.