Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who is visiting Ethiopia, has weighed in on Israel’s recognition of the breakaway enclave of Somaliland, asserting that the move has benefit neither the self-declared republic nor Africa as a whole.
Erdogan, who is on an official visit, told the media on Tuesday that Ethiopia would also gain nothing from the recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign nation, underscoring Ankara’s support for Somalia’s territorial integrity.
“The recognition of Somaliland would not serve Ethiopia’s interests and that Turkey places a high priority on preserving Somalia’s unity,” Erdogan told Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the joint press briefing.
He said the recognition “does not serve the interests of Somaliland or the wider Horn of Africa.”
In December, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu caused a stir after announcing that Israel recognised Somaliland as an independent state, a decision that drew criticism from Somalia and several regional actors.
Somalia still claims sovereignty over Somaliland despite the enclave declaring independence in 1991.
It is not recognised by the international community.
Erdogan’s remarks come amid reports that Somaliland and Ethiopia are working on a new agreement that could pave the way for Addis Ababa to formally recognise the territory in the near future.
Turkey has expanded its diplomatic and strategic footprint in the Horn of Africa in recent years, particularly in Somalia, where it maintains close political, economic and security ties with the federal government in Mogadishu.
Erdogan’s visit to Addis Ababa highlights Ankara’s growing role in regional affairs as geopolitical competition intensifies in the Horn of Africa.
MG/as/APA