The president of the Republic of Somaliland Mr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilaahi (Cirro) has invited the Turkish government to explore further avenues of working with Somaliland for direct bilateral and economic relationships.
The president said this when he held a meeting with the Ambassador of Turkey to Somaliland and Somalia Ambassador Alper Aktas and his delegation on Sunday in Hargeisa.
During his visit, Ambassador Aktaş met with Somaliland President Irro, Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adan, and Kaah political party leader Mohamud Hashi Abdi, a key government ally.
They discussed on strengthening the cooperation between the two Republic of Somaliland and Turkey.
The Turkish Ambassador congratulated the president for his victory in the presidential election last November and said the hard work of democracy in Somaliland has not gone unnoticed adding that Somaliland has set the pace for democracy in the Horn of Africa region.
A statement from the Somaliland presidency highlighted discussions on trade, investment, education, healthcare, and diplomacy.
“The President emphasized the importance of direct and strategic cooperation,” the statement read.
Similarly, President Irro’s foreign affairs adviser, Mohamed Hagi, described the visit as marking a “new chapter” in Turkey-Somaliland relations.
“Somaliland and Türkiye share deep historical ties and cultural affinities, and with the Türkiye Ambassador’s fruitful discussions with H.E. the President, a new phase in their bilateral relations is set to begin,” he wrote on X.
The Turkish Embassy also stated that discussions focused on Türkiye’s past support for Somaliland’s development and preparations for new projects in the near future.
Türkiye’s Strategic Role in Regional Diplomacy
Türkiye has been actively involved in regional mediation, notably hosting talks in Ankara last December between Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to de-escalate tensions over Somaliland’s controversial MoU with Ethiopia.
The visit has sparked debate online, with some pro-Somalia groups accusing Türkiye of playing a “double game” in the region.
However, Ankara’s engagement in Somaliland comes amid prolonged deadlock in talks between Hargeisa and Mogadishu, with diplomatic sources suggesting Türkiye may attempt to revive negotiations.
U.S. Interest in Somaliland
As Türkiye deepens its involvement in Somaliland, the geopolitical landscape in the Horn of Africa is shifting, with major international players maneuvering for influence amid discussions on Somaliland’s potential recognition.
This move is reportedly influenced by Washington’s strategic interest in countering China’s growing presence in Djibouti, where the U.S. maintains a key military base.
Berbera, Somaliland’s major port on the Gulf of Aden, has long been seen as a potential alternative for U.S. military operations.
Just last week, President Irro spoke at the World Government’s Summit in Dubai, advocating for Somaliland’s recognition and highlighting its strategic geographical importance.
The U.S. has also recently expanded its engagement in Puntland, where AFRICOM has directly supported local forces battling ISIS-Somalia militants.
