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Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud will visit Türkiye on Tuesday, Dec. 30, following Israel’s recognition of Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland, the Turkish Presidency said.
Turkish Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran said in a statement on social media that Mohamud will travel to Türkiye at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
“During the meetings, bilateral relations between Türkiye and Somalia will be reviewed in all their dimensions, and steps that can be taken to further deepen cooperation will be evaluated,” Duran said. He added that talks will also address Somalia’s fight against terrorism, efforts to ensure national unity, and regional developments.
Türkiye on Friday described Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state as unlawful.
Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli said Israel’s decision “constitutes a new example of the Netanyahu government’s unlawful actions aimed at creating instability at both regional and global levels.”
“This step by Israel, which continues its expansionist policies and spares no effort to prevent the recognition of the State of Palestine, constitutes an open interference in Somalia’s internal affairs,” Keceli said.
He stressed that decisions regarding Somalia’s future must reflect the will of all Somalis and reiterated Türkiye’s firm support for Somalia’s territorial integrity and peace in the Horn of Africa.
Türkiye is a close ally of Somalia and has provided extensive military, economic and humanitarian assistance to the country, which has struggled with civil war since the early 1990s.
Ankara has played a key role in rebuilding Somalia’s armed forces and infrastructure, while expanding its presence in East Africa, including maritime security cooperation.
Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 following the collapse of the regime of Siad Barre. Since then, it has operated as a de facto autonomous entity with its own government, currency, military and police force, but has failed to gain broad international recognition.
The Somali government rejects Somaliland’s independence, viewing it as an integral part of the country and considering any foreign engagement with the region a violation of Somalia’s sovereignty.
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland has drawn criticism from the African Union, Egypt, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Saudi-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The European Union has also said Somalia’s sovereignty should be respected.
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