Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has affirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Somalia, particularly in defense, during talks with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Erdogan also expressed readiness to engage in mediation efforts to address tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia.
The two presidents met at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, discussing Türkiye-Somalia relations, Israel’s massacres in Palestinian territory, humanitarian aid, the fight against terrorism, and regional and global issues.
On February 8, the two countries signed the Defense and Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement, involving cooperation in the fight against terrorism and military-financial cooperation.
The ten-year agreement will train and provide equipment to the Somali Navy, support economic infrastructure construction, marine resource protection, counterterrorism efforts, and prevent illegal activities along Somalia’s coastline.
Somali President Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur has signed a deal with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to protect Somalia’s 3,000-kilometer coastline, bordering Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti.
The deal does not intend to confront Ethiopia or invade any other country, and it’s unclear if it will include the Gulf of Aden and Somaliland.
Ankara maintains a good relationship with Somaliland, though it does not officially recognize it.
The strategic implications of the agreement are expected to safeguard the interests of the wider international community.
The strategic geopolitical location of Somalia and its political dynamics are crucial for global welfare and peace, as demonstrated by the situation in Yemen.
The agreement between Turkey and Somalia has significant repercussions in the Horn of Africa, where Yemen, Djibouti, and Somalia are located on both sides of the Gulf of Aden.
Britain, France, the US, and Israel have significant influence in the Horn of Africa, having built military bases in Ethiopia, Somalia, and Djibouti.
Türkiye’s military presence in Somalia could lead to Ankara protecting coastal waters in the Gulf of Aden using warships.
