Somalia: Hassan Sheikh meets Turkish ambassador as his mandate expires, talks collapse

MOGADISHU, May 16 - The term-ended President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with Turkey’s ambassador on Saturday, hours after the collapse of crucial talks aimed at resolving a bitter standoff over his expired mandate, in a move some said was designed to project international backing.

The high-profile meeting at the Villa Somalia presidential palace with Ambassador Alper Aktaş came after opposition leaders and regional states failed to reach a consensus at the UN-protected Halane compound regarding Mohamud’s tenure, which officially ended on May 15.

Mohamud has indicated he intends to remain in office until May 2027 under controversial constitutional amendments, a move opposition factions reject as an unlawful term extension.

A presidential statement said Mohamud thanked Ankara for its continuous support in counter-terrorism and infrastructure, adding that the two discussed "strengthening strategic cooperation."

However, political analysts said the administration is using the diplomatic engagement to demonstrate to domestic rivals and foreign donors that it remains internationally recognized and is not isolated.

For the semi-autonomous region of Puntland and opposition coalitions—who have now called for public protests in the capital—the meeting was a clear signal that the federal government is pivoting away from domestic consensus-building.

"Villa Somalia is signaling that the chapter on domestic dialogue at Halane is closed," said an independent political analyst in Mogadishu, who asked not to be named. "They are looking outward to cement their contested legitimacy through external alliances."

Turkey has long been a key power broker in the Horn of Africa, providing substantial military training, budgetary support, and humanitarian aid.

However, Ankara’s deep involvement has drawn criticism from Mohamud’s opponents. Critics have previously accused Turkey of interfering in local political disputes, pointing to past military tensions in the Southwest State capital of Baidoa, where media outlets close to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party openly praised Ankara's strategic influence.

With the collapse of the Mogadishu talks and opposition forces threatening mass rallies, the diplomatic maneuvering underscores a deepening fracturing of Somalia's political landscape.

GAROWE ONLINE