Various international organizations and countries, including the African Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom, have expressed their support for the Ankara Agreement signed on December 11, 2024, between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

The Chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has expressed his support for the agreement as an important step with great responsibility and has announced that they will encourage both parties to firmly implement the agreement without delay.

The European Union (EU) has stated that the deal reflects the need for mutual respect and dialogue to ease tensions in the Horn of Africa and has reiterated its support for the cooperation, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of both countries.

Simultaneously, the United States (USA) has announced its support for the agreement, stating that it strengthens the cooperation of the countries’ sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity, as well as strengthening common interests. The US expects technical negotiations that will allow Ethiopia to have safe, secure, and sustainable access to the sea for mutual economic benefit.

A spokesperson from the United Kingdom (UK) Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office expressed their support for the move to enhance cooperation, stability, development, and shared prosperity in the Horn of Africa.

The United Nations has also expressed its support for the agreement. It is known that Ethiopia and Somalia signed an agreement in Ankara on December 11, 2024, under the mediation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to settle a dispute over the access to the sea.

According to the agreement, the two leaders will allow Ethiopia to have safe, secure, and continuous access to the sea gate, which will be implemented under the authority of the sovereign government of Somalia, including lease contracts and other modalities.

Leaders of the two countries confirmed their commitment to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasizing respect for international law and African Union principles.

The agreement includes the initiation of technical negotiations between the two countries to be completed within four months by February 2025.

Somalia has acknowledged the sacrifices made by Ethiopian National Defense Forces under the African Union mission, it was also mentioned.

This agreement was signed following tensions arising in the region after Ethiopia signed the Sea Gate Memorandum of Understanding with Somaliland. The agreement with Somaliland was viewed by Mogadishu as a violation of Somalia’s territorial sovereignty.