By Adeyemi Adekunle
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to visit Ethiopia and Somalia early next year following his successful mediation of a peace agreement between the two Horn of Africa nations. Erdogan announced the planned visits in a message posted on X on Sunday, signaling the strengthening of ties between Turkey and the region after the historic diplomatic breakthrough.
“I will visit Ethiopia and Somalia in the first two months of the New Year,” Erdogan stated, referring to the deal reached in Ankara on December 11 between Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The agreement brought an end to a prolonged period of tension between the two countries after hours of talks facilitated by Erdogan, who described the outcome as “historic.”
The dispute, which had threatened regional stability, emerged in January when Ethiopia, a landlocked nation, signed a controversial deal with Somalia’s breakaway region, Somaliland. The agreement allowed Ethiopia to lease a stretch of coastline for the development of a port and a military base. In return, Somaliland indicated that Ethiopia would formally recognize its independence—an assertion that was never confirmed by Addis Ababa.
Mogadishu condemned the arrangement, branding it a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty. The move heightened fears of renewed conflict in the already volatile Horn of Africa, where political and security challenges have persisted for decades. The international community expressed concern over the growing hostilities, underscoring the region’s strategic importance and its susceptibility to unrest.
Turkey stepped in to mediate in July, launching multiple rounds of discussions to resolve the dispute. Three separate sessions—two held in Ankara and one during the United Nations General Assembly in New York—laid the groundwork for the breakthrough. The final agreement has since drawn praise from key stakeholders, including the African Union, the United States, and the European Union, all of whom emphasized the need for sustained peace and cooperation in the region.
Erdogan’s upcoming visits to Ethiopia and Somalia highlight Turkey’s growing role as a diplomatic actor in Africa. Turkey has maintained strong bilateral relations with both nations, bolstered by humanitarian assistance, trade partnerships, and infrastructure investments over the past decade. Ankara’s strategic engagement in the region has positioned it as an influential partner capable of mediating complex disputes and fostering stability.
Erdogan’s mediation success comes amid his broader diplomatic ambitions in Africa and the Middle East. Fresh from brokering the Ethiopia-Somalia agreement, Erdogan on Friday held a telephone call with Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. During the discussion, Erdogan offered Turkey’s assistance in resolving the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which has plunged the nation into a humanitarian crisis.
Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal war since April 2023 between the country’s military, led by Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), headed by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced over 11 million people, exacerbating an already dire situation for Sudan’s civilian population. The Sudanese government has accused the United Arab Emirates of supporting the RSF, allegations which the UAE has consistently denied.
Erdogan’s willingness to mediate in Sudan further underscores Turkey’s proactive approach to regional conflicts, as Ankara seeks to balance its political and economic interests with its role as a facilitator of peace. His involvement in both the Horn of Africa and Sudan demonstrates Turkey’s growing influence as a power broker, capable of engaging with governments and armed factions alike to mitigate tensions.
As Erdogan prepares for his visits to Ethiopia and Somalia, the focus remains on how the peace agreement will be implemented and what steps will be taken to address the grievances that led to the dispute. Somalia’s concerns about sovereignty and Ethiopia’s economic need for coastal access will require careful management to maintain trust between the two nations. Erdogan’s presence in the region is expected to solidify the terms of the agreement while reinforcing Turkey’s commitment to supporting regional stability.
The resolution of the Ethiopia-Somalia dispute marks a significant achievement for diplomacy in the Horn of Africa, where long-standing rivalries have often fueled conflict and instability. With Turkey’s role as a mediator gaining recognition, the upcoming visits will serve as an opportunity to strengthen relations and chart a path toward long-term cooperation in the region. For the international community, the breakthrough provides a glimmer of optimism that sustained dialogue can resolve even the most contentious disputes.
