What's happened
Ethiopia and Somalia have signed a peace agreement, mediated by Turkey, to ease tensions following Ethiopia's deal with Somaliland. The agreement emphasizes cooperation and aims to address regional challenges, including security threats and economic collaboration, while reaffirming Somalia's territorial integrity.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to All Africa, the peace declaration brokered by Turkey emphasizes Ethiopia's commitment to resolving differences through negotiations, stating that 'Ethiopia's desire for secure access to the sea is a peaceful venture.' Meanwhile, The Independent highlights the tensions that arose after Ethiopia's deal with Somaliland, noting that 'Ethiopia recognized Somaliland's independence,' which Somalia insists infringes on its sovereignty. AP News reiterates Turkey's role in mediating the agreement, emphasizing the need for stability in Sudan and the broader region. This multifaceted coverage illustrates the complexities of the situation and the varying perspectives on the implications of the peace agreement.
How we got here
Tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia escalated after Ethiopia signed a memorandum with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, in January 2024. This agreement involved leasing land for a marine base, which Somalia viewed as a violation of its sovereignty.
More on these topics
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Ethiopia, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a landlocked country in East Africa. It shares borders with Eritrea to the north, Djibouti to the northeast, Somalia to the east, Kenya to the south, South Sudan to the west and Sudan to
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Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is a sovereign country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, the Gulf of Aden to the north, the Guardafui Channel and Somali Sea to the east, and Kenya to the southwest.
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Somaliland, officially the Republic of Somaliland, is an unrecognised sovereign state in the Horn of Africa, internationally considered to be part of Somalia. Somaliland lies in the Horn of Africa, on the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden.
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Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is a country in North-East Africa. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, Libya to the northwest, Chad to the west, the Central African Republic to the southwest, South Sudan to the south, Ethiopia to the southe
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