President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has once again demonstrated why he is a formidable leader and ahead in the region’s diplomatic game. When Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Somaliland, some people thought it was a done deal. But by the time Abiy showed up in Ankara, that agreement was as good as dead. The president didn’t just outsmart Abiy, he backed him into a corner and made him walk away from his own mess.
Let’s get this straight, Somalia didn’t give away anything. What happened in Ankara wasn’t a compromise, it was Abiy realising he couldn’t bypass Somalia’s government to do any business. Ethiopia’s access to Somali maritime is strictly for commercial use, nothing more. No land was given, no bases were agreed, and no one touched Somalia’s borders.
But this victory wasn’t won overnight or with one meeting. President Hassan Sheikh’s strategy was methodical and multi-layered. Somalia used its alliances with Eritrea and Egypt – two of Ethiopia’s fiercest rivals – to strategically isolate Addis Ababa. By establishing triangular cooperation with these nations, Somalia strengthened its position in the region. Additionally, Somalia leveraged international platforms to amplify its stance, ensuring Ethiopia’s actions received global scrutiny.
One of the strategic moves was signing a defence pact with Türkiye, a nation that has proven itself a steadfast ally of Somalia. This agreement not only guarantees Türkiye’s defence of Somali shores for a decade but also includes the establishment of Somalia’s naval capabilities. In exchange, Somalia granted Türkiye exploration rights to its natural resources, with a shared benefits model. Such a deal not only bolsters Somalia’s military strength but also ensures its sovereignty is respected.
Still, some people are pushing silly stories. The claim that President Hassan Sheikh “gave away the sea” is just nonsense. Somalia’s borders are protected under international law, and the government has made it clear no one will take even an inch of Somali land or water. If anyone still doubts that, they should look at how quickly Abiy’s MoU disappeared.
And for those saying Abiy was somehow “legitimised” by sitting down with President Hassan Sheikh, let’s be honest. Abiy wasn’t legitimised, he was put in his place. His plan to make backdoor deals with Somaliland was stopped, and Ethiopia was forced to go through the proper channels – Somalia’s federal government. This wasn’t a win for Abiy, it was a lesson.
Türkiye’s role in all this was key. As a country that has always stood by Somalia, Türkiye made sure the Ankara Declaration respected Somalia’s sovereignty. Türkiye, with its own fight against secessionists like the PKK, wasn’t going to support any moves that threatened Somalia’s unity. On top of that, Türkiye has big interests in the Horn of Africa, so it made sure this agreement was fair and stable.
Now let’s talk about the maritime access. Allowing Ethiopia to use Somali maritime for trade isn’t a loss, it’s a smart deal. Ethiopia is landlocked, with over 120 million people, which makes it a huge market. By opening our seas for commercial use, Somalia gains more trade, more jobs, and more investment, all while staying in full control of our ports and coastline.
So, what does this all mean? It means Somalia is no longer weak or disorganised. Under President Hassan Sheikh, Somalia has not only protected its sovereignty and borders but is now the one setting the rules for how things work in the region. The Ankara Declaration isn’t just a deal, it’s a statement that Somalia is ready to stand its ground and also grow its economy.
For those still spreading fake news about “giving away the sea” or “helping Abiy,” it’s time to face the facts. Somalia’s seas are safe, its borders are secure, and its leadership isn’t playing games anymore. The Ankara Declaration is a big win for Somalia – for its sovereignty, its economy, and its future. As for Abiy, he’s learned the hard way that Somalia isn’t a place you can mess with anymore.
In the end, President Hassan Sheikh didn’t just protect Somalia’s seas, he made it clear that Somalia isn’t a playground for anyone’s ambitions. By strategically using alliances, cornering Ethiopia in the international arena, and making calculated defence agreements, he showed the world that Somalia, under his leadership, is a force to be reckoned with. Abiy’s imaginary MoU with Somaliland was nothing more than a footnote in a much bigger story, and the world now knows that Somalia will never be anyone’s bargaining chip.
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Abdullahi H. Samoow is a commentator on political and social affairs in Somalia. He can be reached at: Abdullahisamoow@gmail.com
