Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his country’s unwavering commitment to assisting Somalia across various fronts, with a particular focus on defence. The affirmation came during discussions with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday, where Erdogan also expressed Turkey’s willingness to mediate in addressing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
According to the country’s Communications Directorate, the talks centred on Turkey-Somalia relations, condemnation of Israel’s actions in Palestinian territories, humanitarian aid, counterterrorism efforts, and broader regional and global issues. Attendees included Turkey’s National Defence Minister Yasar Guler, the head of the National Intelligence Organisation Ibrahim Kalin, and the president’s chief advisor Akif Cagatay Kilic.
In a significant development, on February 8, Turkey and Somalia inked the Defence and Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, focusing on joint efforts against terrorism and enhancing military-financial cooperation. The ten-year pact entails Ankara’s support in training and equipping the Somali Navy, bolstering economic infrastructure, protecting marine resources, combating terrorism, and preventing illicit activities along Somalia’s coastline.
The agreement also addresses the protection of Somalia’s extensive coastline, which borders Kenya and Ethiopia to the west and Djibouti to the northwest. However, it remains uncertain whether the pact encompasses safeguarding the Gulf of Aden and Somaliland, the self-declared independent region within Somalia.
Although Turkey does not officially recognise Somaliland, it maintains amicable relations with the state, situated along the Gulf of Aden coast.
According to Somalian Defence Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, the agreement signifies shared commitment, trust, and acknowledgement of global security significance. He underscored its strategic implications for safeguarding international interests, particularly in light of geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa.
Experts, including former Turkish ambassador Ahmet Kavas, suggest that Turkey’s enhanced presence in Somalia could alter power dynamics in the region, given the strategic importance of the Gulf of Aden and surrounding areas. Kavas emphasised the potential shift in power balances, particularly considering existing military bases operated by other nations in the region.
