By HAN News Desk
ISTANBUL — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said Tuesday that Somalia has strongly felt Turkey’s support at a time when the country faces what he described as serious threats to its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Speaking at a joint news conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the Dolmabahce Working Office in Istanbul, Mohamud thanked Erdogan for Turkey’s political, diplomatic and security backing, calling it crucial during a difficult period for Somalia.
“Especially at a time marked by threats to Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, we have clearly felt the support of Turkey and the Turkish people,” Mohamud said, according to remarks reported by Anadolu Agency.
Mohamud said Somalia is working to build a strong and effective government while safeguarding its unity and sovereignty after decades of conflict and instability. He said Turkey’s consistent engagement has helped Somalia make progress in state-building, security reform and humanitarian response.
The Somali leader recalled that Turkey had previously played a mediating role between Somalia and Somaliland and has continued efforts to help resolve the dispute through peaceful and friendly dialogue. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not received broad international recognition.
Mohamud said Erdogan reaffirmed that Turkey stands firmly with Somalia and will continue to support its peace, stability and recovery. “Turkey’s backing is extremely important for Somalia’s progress and long-term stability,” he said.
The talks also focused on deepening bilateral cooperation across several sectors, including security, development and humanitarian assistance. Mohamud said cooperation between Somalia and Turkey has intensified in recent years, particularly in training and equipping Somali security forces and providing humanitarian aid.
He also highlighted growing cooperation in the exploration and development of Somalia’s oil and gas resources. Mohamud said offshore exploration efforts have produced encouraging preliminary results and that drilling operations are expected to begin soon, potentially allowing Somalia to make “a strong start” to 2026 in terms of economic recovery.
Somalia’s natural resources belong to the Somali people and must be managed with transparency, equity and responsibility to future generations, Mohamud said, adding that resource development should strengthen national institutions rather than fuel division.
In his remarks, Mohamud criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing what he called Israel’s “aggressive stance,” including actions he said affect Somalia, as unacceptable. He said such behavior violates international law, the United Nations Charter and the principles of diplomacy and cooperation underpinning the African Union.
Respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference are fundamental pillars of the international system, Mohamud said.
He also thanked what he described as brotherly countries, regional bodies and international organizations that have expressed solidarity with Somalia amid recent diplomatic tensions.
Mohamud’s comments came after Israel announced last week that it had recognized Somaliland as a sovereign state, a move Somalia has rejected and condemned as a violation of its sovereignty. Somaliland operates as a self-governing entity with its own administration and security forces, though Mogadishu continues to claim the territory as part of Somalia.
Turkey has been one of Somalia’s closest international partners over the past decade, maintaining a major military training base in Mogadishu and playing a prominent role in reconstruction and development projects across the country.
