ADDIS ABABA – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has delivered a direct rebuke of external involvement in East African affairs, specifically targeting Israel’s diplomatic recognition of Somaliland. During a high-stakes joint press conference with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on February 17, 2026, Erdoğan emphasized that foreign “struggles for influence” would only destabilize a region already weary of conflict.
”I want to reiterate that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland benefits neither Somaliland nor the Horn of Africa,” Erdoğan stated, following the signing of several bilateral agreements. “As Turkey, we absolutely do not want to see new conflicts and suffering added to the already existing pain in the region. The Horn of Africa should not be turned into a battleground for foreign powers.”
A Century of Diplomacy
The visit holds immense symbolic weight, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Turkish Embassy’s opening in Addis Ababa (1926). As the oldest Turkish mission in Sub-Saharan Africa, its centennial served as a backdrop for discussions on deepening “centuries-old bonds.”
Erdoğan also took a moment to honor local history, laying a wreath at the Adwa Victory Memorial. The gesture, according to Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie, signaled Turkey’s deep respect for Ethiopia’s legacy as a beacon of African independence.
Economic Blueprints: Target $1 Billion
Beyond regional security, the two leaders focused on an aggressive economic agenda to cement Turkey’s status as Ethiopia’s second-largest foreign investor.
- Trade Goals: Both nations are working to push annual trade volume past the $1 billion mark.
- Infrastructure: Turkish firms have successfully completed 15 major projects totaling $2.6 billion, including railways and energy transmission lines.
- Employment: With over 200 companies operating in Ethiopia, Turkish investments of $2.5 billion now support roughly 20,000 local jobs.
The Quest for Sea Access
A critical point of the summit was Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s appeal for Turkish diplomatic support regarding Ethiopia’s landlocked status. Highlighting that a nation of 130 million people cannot remain “geographic prisoners,” Abiy confirmed he discussed “peaceful ways” for Ethiopia to secure access to the sea with President Erdoğan.
This appeal comes amidst Turkey’s ongoing role in the Ankara Process, a mediation effort designed to resolve tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia. In December 2024, Turkey successfully facilitated the Ankara Declaration, in which both nations pledged to respect each other’s sovereignty while exploring commercial arrangements for Ethiopia’s sea access.
Cultural and Global Cooperation
The leaders also reviewed cultural projects, such as the TIKA-led restoration of the Negash Mausoleum, Africa’s first Muslim settlement. Looking ahead, Erdoğan invited Ethiopia to maintain close cooperation as Turkey prepares to host the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP) this November.
Erdoğan concluded by congratulating the Ethiopian Muslim community on the upcoming month of Ramadan, reaffirming that Turkey stands by the region “on the basis of equal partnership and mutual understanding.”