The Eritrean Minister of Information, Yemane Gebremeskel, announced on his official page that the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, has arrived in Eritrea yesterday. The Minister reported that Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki warmly welcomed the Somali President upon his arrival in Asmara. Yemane indicated that the two leaders will discuss in “further strengthening of bilateral relations” as well as address common regional and international issues.

Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud’s visit to Eritrea occurred a week after the agreement facilitated by Turkey aimed to end the dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia over a port agreement. Following Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s assertion in October last year that the Red Sea is crucial for Ethiopia’s survival, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud made multiple trips to Asmara.

Ethiopia’s request for access to the Red Sea has faced direct opposition from Somalia and indirect opposition from Eritrea. A bitter dispute arose between Ethiopia and Somalia over a port agreement signed by Ethiopia with the autonomous Somaliland about a year ago. Somalia contended that the agreement violated its sovereignty and international law, leading to measures taken to strain diplomatic relations between the two countries, such as expelling the Ethiopian ambassador.

Ethiopia defended the memorandum of understanding agreement, maintaining that it was appropriate and would not harm any party’s interests.

While Turkey has been making repeated efforts to resolve the conflict between the two countries through its foreign minister, negotiations conducted by its president have finally proven successful. President Erdoğan contacted Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Mohammad to address their disagreement, which took place in Ankara.

The agreement, named the “Ankara Declaration,” stipulates that experts will be appointed to study ways to enable Ethiopia to utilize reliable and secure port services in a manner that respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia. The result is set to be announced by February. Additionally, on the Somali side, provisions were included to recognize the sacrifices made by the Ethiopian army in maintaining peace in the country under the African Union’s umbrella.

However, the two countries continue to accuse each other. The government of Somalia has alleged that two days ago, the Ethiopian army attacked the Somali town of Doolow. In response, the Ethiopian government has denied the charge, stating that it is “not true” and that such accusations are “aimed at hindering peaceful relations between the countries and the region.”

These accusations between the two nations come at a time when a delegation from Somalia was in Addis Ababa discussing ways to strengthen the Ankara agreement. The dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia has also brought Egypt to the region, a country previously far from the region’s relation. Egypt, which has been in conflict with Ethiopia over the Nile dam, has announced its intention to contribute troops to the new Somalia peacekeeping mission.

Meanwhile, the continuation of the Ethiopian army in the peacekeeping mission remains unknown at this time.