Somalia : Hassan Sheikh Visits Turkish Vessel in Move Seen as Public Diversion

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Following an announcement by the mandate-expired federal government to conduct a unilateral election in the country, former Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud made a working visit to the Çağrı Bey, a vessel currently stationed in Somali waters carrying out offshore oil drilling operations.

According to Villa Somalia state media outlets, the former president received briefings from experts and ship authorities detailing ongoing operations and initial outcomes from the drilling activities.

The Turkish government, which is backing the oil drilling initiative, is coordinating the trip as part of efforts to divert public attention from the country’s deepening political disputes—particularly regarding contentious term extensions and disputed elections, according to credible sources.

The visit coincides with sharp internal friction and growing political fallout triggered by the mandate-expired federal government’s recent announcement of a unilateral electoral schedule.

Meanwhile, Somali opposition figures and key political stakeholders have previously accused Turkey of taking sides in Somalia’s fragile political landscape, alleging that Ankara seeks to prop up the former president and maintain his hold on power.

GAROWE ONLINE