Turkey’s President Rejects Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland
– President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has firmly rejected Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent nation, calling it potentially dangerous for the already volatile region.
– This statement was made during an official visit to Ethiopia, which shares a border with the breakaway region of Somaliland.
The Context of Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland
– In December, Israel became the first nation to officially recognize Somaliland, which declared its independence from Somalia over 30 years ago.
– This recognition has angered the Somali government, which still views Somaliland as part of its territory.
Regional Implications and Ethiopia’s Stance
– Landlocked Ethiopia has not yet responded to Erdogan’s comments.
– Two years earlier, there were plans for Ethiopia to lease a section of Somaliland’s coastline for port development, which caused friction with Somalia. Erdogan played a crucial role in mediating that dispute to prevent further escalation.
– At a joint press conference in Addis Ababa with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Erdogan declared, The Horn of Africa should not be the battlefield of foreign forces. We believe that countries of the region should address their problems by themselves.
Abiy Ahmed’s Appeal for Sea Access
– In the same conference, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed urged Turkey to assist Ethiopia in gaining sea access, pointing out the injustice of Ethiopia remaining landlocked. After Eritrea gained independence in 1993, Ethiopia lost its access to a 1,350km (840-mile) coastline along the Red Sea.
– Abiy stated, It is not right for a country with a population of over 130 million to be denied sea access and remain a geographical prisoner for a long time due to the conspiracy of our enemies.
Rising Tensions and Historical Context
– Since the Somaliland deal fell through in 2024, Abiy has pushed for control over Eritrea’s southern port of Assab, located about 60km from Ethiopia’s border, even suggesting the possibility of using force.
– Abiy confirmed he had requested Turkey’s diplomatic support in resolving this issue peacefully, stating, We have had a strong discussion with President Erdogan to play his part in this regard. We thank him for this.
Concerns Over Renewed Conflict
– The backdrop of this diplomatic discussion includes growing fears of renewed conflict in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, which borders Eritrea.
– During the first Tigray war from 2020 to 2022, Eritrean forces allied with the Ethiopian army against Tigrayan fighters. Shifting allegiances could ignite new hostilities.
– Reports of military buildups in Tigray are causing alarm, as banks are running out of cash, and civil servants have not received their January salaries, escalating public frustration.
In conclusion, President Erdogan’s rejection of Israel’s recognition of Somaliland underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the Horn of Africa. Both Turkey and Ethiopia are navigating delicate regional relationships amid rising tensions, highlighting the importance of diplomacy in addressing multifaceted conflicts.