Turkey’s Growing Shadow Over Somalia’s Political Crisis Raises Opposition Alarm      

MOGADISHU, Somalia — New details have emerged about meetings and discussions between Turkish diplomats and Somali opposition politicians united under the Somali Future Council, amid growing accusations that Ankara is playing an increasingly visible role in Somalia’s internal political affairs.

According to sources familiar with the discussions, Turkey’s ambassador to Somalia recently met with members of the opposition alliance, who raised concerns over what they described as Ankara’s apparent alignment with one side of Somalia’s political crisis.

The opposition figures reportedly told the ambassador that Turkey’s investments and strategic agreements in Somalia should not be used to serve narrow political interests, warning that such actions could undermine trust among political stakeholders.

They urged Turkey to remain neutral in Somalia’s political disputes, arguing that Ankara’s significant economic and strategic interests in the country require it to play a balanced role rather than support any single political faction.

According to the reports, the Turkish ambassador responded by saying that Ankara does not side with any particular group and remains ready to help bring Somalia’s political actors closer together, especially on contentious national issues that have fueled tensions.

Turkey maintains close ties and strategic agreements with Somalia’s federal government, led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, whose administration has faced mounting criticism from opposition groups over what they describe as a deeply contested political transition.

Ankara has also signed offshore oil exploration agreements with the federal government, with reports indicating that exploration activities are focused on parts of Somalia’s central coastal regions.

At the same time, Turkey, which already maintains military personnel in Somalia, is reportedly planning additional military bases in the country’s south, further intensifying debate over Ankara’s growing influence in Somalia’s politics and security sector.

A diplomat closely following Somali politics told Garowe Online that Turkey wants to see President Hassan Sheikh remain in power, which he said explains Ankara’s outreach to opposition leaders in an effort to reduce political tensions.

The same source said the Turkish ambassador had previously met with a delegation led by Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, encouraging Puntland to seek a political settlement with the federal government.

The Somali Future Council strongly opposes what it calls unilateral elections being pursued by the federal government, as well as amendments to Somalia’s 2012 provisional constitution and any term extension, which it describes as unconstitutional.

The developments come as Turkey, led for years by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, continues to deepen its strategic footprint in Somalia. Some Somali opposition politicians argue that Turkey’s non-federal system of governance may also shape Ankara’s perspective on Somalia’s federal political structure.

GAROWE ONLINE