Somali president praises Turkey’s support amid threats to sovereignty
Speaking alongside Türkiye’s president during a joint appearance in Istanbul, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed appreciation for Türkiye’s continued support and leadership, noting that such assistance has been especially meaningful during periods of difficulty for Somalia.
He explained that amid ongoing threats to Somalia’s borders and sovereign authority, the solidarity shown by Türkiye and its people has been strongly felt. Mohamud said the Somali government is focused on building effective state institutions while ensuring the protection of the country’s territorial integrity and independence.
The president also recalled Türkiye’s earlier role in facilitating dialogue between Somalia and Somaliland, adding that Ankara has continued working to help address the matter through peaceful and cooperative means.
According to Mohamud, Türkiye has once again reaffirmed its commitment to stand by Somalia, emphasizing that this support plays a vital role in advancing the country’s peace, stability, recovery, and overall development.
He noted that his discussions with Türkiye’s leadership also covered ways to expand and deepen cooperation across a range of fields. In recent years, the two countries have significantly strengthened ties, particularly in the areas of security and humanitarian aid, he added.
Mohamud further extended gratitude to allied nations, regional bodies, and international organizations that have demonstrated solidarity with Somalia during this sensitive period.
Addressing regional tensions, he criticized the conduct of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing actions that affect Somalia as unacceptable. He said such behavior violates international law, the founding principles of the United Nations, and the diplomatic norms and agreements that underpin the African Union.
The Somali president stressed that respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference remains a cornerstone of the international system.
He also drew attention to cooperation between Somalia and Türkiye in the exploration and development of oil and gas resources, describing these efforts as essential for long-term economic recovery and national resilience. Offshore exploration has so far produced encouraging results, he said, with drilling expected to begin soon and potentially allowing Somalia to enter 2026 on a strong footing.
Mohamud emphasized that Somalia’s natural resources belong to its people and must be managed transparently, fairly, and with responsibility toward future generations. He said these initiatives demonstrate Somalia’s commitment to national development while continuing to defend its sovereignty, supported consistently by Türkiye.
Separately, Israel recently became the first country to recognize Somaliland as an independent state. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not received broad international recognition. Despite functioning with its own administrative, political, and security structures, the region remains outside the control of Somalia’s central government, while its leadership has been unable to secure formal global acknowledgment of independence.
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