We have taken the first step toward a new beginning based on peace, cooperation between Somalia, Ethiopia,' says Recep Tayyip Erdogan - Anadolu Ajansı

The leaders of Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to hold “technical talks” to resolve a dispute sparked by Ethiopia’s deal with Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland.

Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has welcomed the peace deal reached on Wednesday in Ankara, Türkiye between Ethiopia and Somalia. The Executive Secretary of IGAD, Workneh Gebeyehu has commended the landmark Ankara Agreement reached between the two East African nations.

The two East African sides have been fighting with each other since January. The agreement was reached with the assistance of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Somalia and Ethiopia said they would work together to resolve a dispute over Addis Ababa's plan to build a port in the breakaway region of Somaliland, which had drawn in regional powers and threatened to further destabilise the Horn of Africa.

The dispute between began January 1 when Somaliland’s president, Muse Bihi Abdi, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed signed a "historic" memorandum of understanding to lease 20 kilometers of seafront to Ethiopia for 50 years,