Ankara Declaration hailed as a game-changer for Africa by expert

ISTANBUL

The Ankara Declaration between Ethiopia and Somalia, brokered by Türkiye, has been hailed as "potentially big news" by Will Brown, a senior fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, marking a pivotal moment following a year of tense developments in the Horn of Africa.

Brown emphasized that Türkiye's growing influence in the Horn of Africa region stems from its successful strides in trade and defense, which have set it apart as a key player on the African continent.

Brown shared his insights with Anadolu Agency regarding the agreement, facilitated by Türkiye.

“The news coming out of Ankara is potentially huge,” said the Brussels-based expert.

Europe cannot concentrate on Africa

Brown argued that African nations increasingly find it more appealing to engage with Türkiye than to navigate “the Brussels labyrinth and 27 European states, each with its own agenda.” However, he acknowledged that Europe remains Africa’s largest trading partner.

“Europeans are doing their best to give Africans a greater position on the global stage,” he said, but noted that many European officials still hold outdated views about Africa.

“They have grown up with the idea that Africa is just a place to send aid and development money or a source of migration, not a thriving continent full of opportunity, smart and hardworking young people,” Brown remarked.

He added that Europe’s focus on Africa has waned in light of the Ukraine-Russia war, which demands much of its energy and resources.

Türkiye's growing influence in Africa

“Ankara certainly has significant influence in the Horn of Africa due to its relatively new and exciting trade links, heavy involvement in Somalia, and the desirability of its Bayraktar drones,” Brown explained.

The European Commission’s "Turkey Report", part of the 2024 Enlargement Package, also highlighted Türkiye’s expanding footprint in Africa, citing its “balanced” stance in conflicts in Somalia and Sudan and its role as a mediator.

The dispute between Ethiopia and Somalia began in January, when Ethiopia signed a deal with Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland to use the Red Sea port of Berbera. Since then, Türkiye has worked to ease tensions between the two nations.

The Ankara Declaration was reached during talks hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in attendance.

“We have taken the first step toward a new beginning based on peace and cooperation between Somalia and Ethiopia,” Erdogan said at a joint news conference in the Turkish capital.

The leaders of Somalia and Ethiopia reaffirmed their “respect and commitment to one another’s sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity,” as well as the principles of international law, the UN Charter, and the African Union’s Constitutive Act, according to Türkiye's Communications Directorate.

*Writing by Efe Ozkan