Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday stated that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state would benefit neither Somalia nor the broader Horn of Africa region, emphasizing the importance of preserving sovereignty and regional stability.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa, Erdogan said Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland would not serve the interests of either Somaliland or the Horn of Africa.
“I would like to reiterate that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland would benefit neither Somaliland nor the Horn of Africa,” Erdogan said during the joint appearance.
Erdogan stressed that countries in the region must develop their own solutions to regional challenges, urging that the Horn of Africa should not become “an arena of struggle for foreign powers.”
He underscored that Türkiye places great importance on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states in the region and does not wish to see new conflicts and suffering added to a geography that has already endured significant instability.
Referring to Türkiye’s mediation efforts between Ethiopia and Somalia under the Ankara Process, Erdogan expressed appreciation to both parties for their constructive positions and commitment to dialogue.
“Once stability is achieved, we see no obstacle to the Horn of Africa attaining a position that attracts attention with its economic opportunities,” the Turkish leader said, highlighting the region’s long-term economic potential.
Addressing bilateral relations, Erdogan described it as “a source of pride” that more than 200 Turkish companies are operating in Ethiopia, with total investments amounting to $2.6 billion and supporting employment for approximately 20,000 people.
He noted that Turkish contracting firms have undertaken 15 major projects in Ethiopia, covering railways, transportation infrastructure, factories, tourism facilities, and energy transmission lines. Erdogan voiced optimism that cooperation between the two countries would continue to expand in the coming years.
“We are pleased to be the second-largest investor in Ethiopia,” he said.
Erdogan also highlighted the symbolic significance of his visit coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the opening of Türkiye’s embassy in Ethiopia, describing it as an additional source of pride.
Expressing satisfaction at returning to Addis Ababa after an 11-year interval, he thanked Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Ethiopian authorities for their warm hospitality.
Emphasizing the centuries-old ties between the Turkish and Ethiopian peoples, Erdogan said Ethiopia holds invaluable significance in terms of Islamic culture and African history.
He referred to the restoration of the Nejashi Tomb and Mosque—recognized as the first Muslim settlement in Africa—carried out with the support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency. The restoration project, he said, not only preserved a vital part of African cultural heritage but also strengthened longstanding bonds of friendship between the two nations.
Erdogan added that Türkiye will continue building cultural bridges through educational initiatives led by the Maarif Foundation, alongside ongoing development projects implemented by TIKA in Ethiopia.
“On the basis of equal partnership and mutual understanding, we will always stand by the good people of this sincere geography,” Erdogan stated.
Following one-on-one and interdelegation meetings, both sides held a formal signing ceremony for several bilateral agreements aimed at deepening cooperation in economic, trade, and technical fields.
At the ceremony, the “Minutes of the 9th Türkiye–Ethiopia Joint Economic Commission on Economy, Trade and Technical Cooperation” were signed by Türkiye’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar and Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos.
Additionally, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on energy cooperation between Türkiye’s Energy and Natural Resources Ministry and Ethiopia’s Water and Energy Ministry was signed by Bayraktar and Ethiopian Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa.
After the signing ceremony and joint news conference at the National Palace, President Erdogan presented Ethiopia’s prime minister with Türkiye’s domestically produced electric vehicle, the Togg.
Concluding his visit, Erdogan also extended congratulations to Ethiopia’s Muslim community on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, reaffirming Türkiye’s commitment to strengthening both diplomatic and cultural ties with Ethiopia and the broader Horn of Africa region.
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland benefits nobody, Turkey’s Erdogan says
