Erdogan tells Ethiopia it would gain nothing from recognising Somaliland

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Ethiopia’s prime minister during an official visit to Addis Ababa that Ethiopia would gain no benefit from recognising Somaliland, underscoring Ankara’s support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.

Erdogan said he conveyed the message directly to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, stressing that recognition of Somaliland would not serve Ethiopia’s interests and that Turkey places a high priority on preserving Somalia’s unity.

The Turkish leader also reiterated his country’s opposition to Israel’s recognition of the self-declared republic, saying such a move “does not serve the interests of Somaliland or the wider Horn of Africa.”

In December, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel recognised Somaliland as an independent state, a decision that drew criticism from Somalia and several regional actors.

Erdogan’s remarks come amid reports that Somaliland and Ethiopia are working on a new agreement that could pave the way for Ethiopia to formally recognise Somaliland in the near future.

Turkey has expanded its diplomatic and strategic footprint in the Horn of Africa in recent years, particularly in Somalia, where it maintains close political, economic and security ties with the federal government in Mogadishu.

Erdogan’s visit to Addis Ababa highlights Ankara’s growing role in regional affairs as geopolitical competition intensifies in the Horn of Africa.

GAROWE ONLINE