Turkey’s ruling AKP signs agreements with Somalia and Ethiopia to enhance strategic ties. Deputy Chairman Zafer Sirakaya met with Somalia’s UPD leader for cooperation discussions; an agreement with Ethiopia is next. These memoranda aim to advance joint research, training, and trade, amidst regional tensions. Turkey maintains a neutral mediation role and seeks to strengthen its influence in East Africa.
Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is strengthening its strategic partnerships with Somalia and Ethiopia by signing memoranda of understanding with the respective political parties of these nations. This week, AKP deputy chairman Zafer Sirakaya met with Abdurahman Mohamed Hussein, the secretary-general of Somalia’s ruling Union for Peace and Development Party in Ankara, to formalize cooperation agreements aimed at enhancing bilateral relations. A similar agreement is scheduled for signing with Ethiopia’s ruling Prosperity Party this Friday in Addis Ababa.
These agreements aim to promote joint research initiatives, training programs, consultations, and the exchange of information between the political parties involved. The AKP, which has been in power in Turkey for twenty years, seeks to share its governance experience with its East African allies, enhance civil society partnerships, and increase bilateral trade activities. Turkey has positioned itself as a neutral mediator in the regional tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia, particularly following Ethiopia’s naval agreement with Somaliland in 2024.
In efforts to maintain impartiality, Turkey postponed the cooperation deal with Ethiopia, which was originally planned for last autumn. This strategic delay followed significant negotiations in December, resulting in a memorandum that recognized Somalia’s territorial integrity while opening dialogues about Ethiopia’s access to the sea via the Somali coast. However, relations between Somalia and Ethiopia remain tenuous, especially after Somalia strengthened its ties with Egypt amid ongoing disputes regarding water resources from the Nile.
According to Tunc Demirtas, a regional expert with the think tank Seta, Turkey’s diplomatic maneuvers in the Horn of Africa consistently accommodate Somalia’s interests. He emphasized that Turkey adopts a regional perspective and is keen on fostering relationships across the area. Reports suggest that an AKP delegation is expected to sign a similar memorandum with Djibouti next week, continuing the trend of regional cooperation.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has cultivated a cordial relationship with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, aided by Turkey’s sale of armed drones to Ethiopia in 2021, which boosted Ethiopian defenses during insurgent threats. In contrast, Turkey’s partnership with Somalia is extensive and historically rooted, featuring a significant Turkish military presence in Mogadishu and investments in vital infrastructure projects. Earlier this year, Somalia and Turkey established a defense and economic cooperation agreement, allowing Turkey to assist in developing the Somali Navy and explore energy reserves along the coast.
The political landscape in East Africa is currently marked by complex interrelations and tensions, particularly between Somalia and Ethiopia. Turkey’s active role in mediating disputes, supported by its historical ties with Somalia and emergent partnerships with Ethiopia, underscores its strategic ambitions in the region. The recent agreements aim to enhance collaboration, facilitate knowledge sharing, and ultimately stabilize relations between Turkey, Somalia, and Ethiopia.
Turkey’s efforts to forge deeper ties with Somalia and Ethiopia reflect its strategic interests in the Horn of Africa. By signing agreements focused on political cooperation and mutual development, Turkey aims to bolster its influence in a region marked by geopolitical tensions. The focus remains on fostering stability through collaborative practices, enhancing trade, and supporting local governance experiences. Turkey’s diplomatic stance appears poised not only to benefit Ethiopian-Somali relations but also to cement Turkey’s role as a key player in East African geopolitics.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
