**Ethiopia and Somalia Forge Historic Agreement to Resolve Somaliland Port Dispute**

**The agreement promises a fresh start for both nations, ensuring Ethiopia's access to the sea while respecting Somalia's territorial claims.**

Ethiopia and Somalia have successfully navigated a fraught territorial dispute regarding a port deal in Somaliland, culminating in a historic agreement facilitated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during talks in Ankara. This momentous accord not only aims to foster cooperative relations between the two countries but also to secure Ethiopia's access to maritime routes—critical for its landlocked status.

President Erdogan heralded this development as a "first step towards a new beginning," emphasizing the importance of cooperation and mutual respect for sovereignty in the Horn of Africa. This sentiment was echoed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who held hands during a press conference to symbolize their renewed commitment to dialogue.

The dispute originally erupted in January when Ethiopia signed a maritime lease agreement with Somaliland, a self-declared independent region that is regarded by Somalia as part of its territory. The accord provoked anxiety in the region, exacerbated by Egypt's support for Somalia, stemming from longstanding grievances about Ethiopia's construction of a dam on the Nile River.

In an effort to mend relations, the leaders agreed to reconvene in February for further technical discussions while striving for mutually beneficial commercial arrangements that would allow Ethiopia to access the sea under Somalia's sovereignty. However, the extent to which Ethiopia might abandon the previous agreement with Somaliland remains unclear.

Somaliland's recent presidential election, which brought former opposition leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi to power, has now added another layer of complexity. Abdullahi pledged to reassess the maritime deal, yet did not address it during his inaugural speech.

As this dynamic geopolitical landscape unfolds, experts are watching closely to see whether the newfound diplomatic resolve between Ethiopia and Somalia can genuinely lead to lasting peace and cooperation in the Horn of Africa, a region of critical strategic significance.