By Horn Africa News Staff
This information is sourced from the Somali-language version of Inside Somalia’s Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16SxS9qPEh/?mibextid=wwXIfr
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), alarmed by Turkey’s expanding influence in the Horn of Africa—especially in Ethiopia and Somalia—is reportedly pushing for new military arrangements in the region to counterbalance Ankara’s growing presence.
In a high-level move, the UAE proposed to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed that Ethiopia lease a military base built by the Emirates in Berbera, Somaliland. Somaliland has been informed about this plan and has agreed in principle. A diplomatic consensus was reached to formalize the agreement through a visit by Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi to Addis Ababa—removing the UAE’s name from the documents and instead signing a direct deal between Ethiopia and Somaliland. The UAE, however, still controls the Berbera port under a separate agreement with Somaliland. Satellite imagery shows recent military expansions at the port site.
As preparations intensified, Ethiopia requested a delay in signing the deal in order to inform Turkey about the decision. In response, Turkey approached Somalia, notifying them of Ethiopia’s intentions and asking Somalia to present a strategic counteroffer—potentially granting Ethiopia limited sea access through Somalia to prevent the Berbera deal.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud dispatched the Minister of Ports, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, to Turkey. There, he held meetings with Turkey’s Foreign Minister and President.
According to sources, Minister Jama indicated Turkey was only open to commercial port agreements, not military ones. Turkey also involved Qatar, urging them to mediate by summoning President Bihi and applying pressure to stall the deal.
Upon returning to Mogadishu, Minister Jama briefed President Hassan Sheikh on the outcomes of the Turkey mission. Seeing the urgent need to counter Ethiopia’s ambitions, the Somali president flew to Cairo to fast-track a defense pact with Egypt. Egypt, in turn, pledged support to Somalia.
Ethiopia interpreted President Hassan Sheikh’s Egypt trip as an opportunity to undermine the Ankara accord. Today, Addis Ababa leaked to the media that the Turkey-brokered deal has collapsed, and announced plans to directly invite Somaliland’s president to negotiate new agreements.
