• Türkiye’s early investment has opened Somali market to foreign direct investment, particularly in oil and gas, with Somalia poised to become oil-producing country, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud tells Turkish national broadcaster

ISTANBUL

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said his country does not want Israel to establish a presence in Somaliland, warning Tel Aviv’s recognition of the breakaway region risks bringing its conflicts to the region.

“We have never attacked Israel. We never have created problem to Israel. We don't want Israel to come to us and bring their problem to us,” Mohamud told Turkish national broadcaster TRT World in an exclusive interview.

He described the move as a “very sad situation,” calling for respecting the international law.

Mohamud said Israel’s recent actions are not “compatible or convenient” with international law, pointing to Gaza and long history of conflict in the Middle East.

“It's very sad that now that has been transferred to Somalia,” he lamented.

Mohamud said Mogadishu engaged the international community, including the UN, African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, East African Community, Arab League, and Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which collectively stood with Somalia and publicly affirmed their support for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He said Somalia’s northern regions have long faced secessionist and separatist challenges, but the government has always sought to resolve differences peacefully.

“The Somali government has never tried to force or to fight, or even to use the diplomatic muscle against these people,” he added.

Mohamud said Türkiye has tried to mediate between Somaliland and Somalia, holding meetings in 2015 and maintaining a representative in Hargeisa to continue the dialogue.

Ankara has traditionally stood with Somalia, Mohamud said, consistently supporting its unity and sovereignty during times of challenge.

Türkiye has a tradition of “always” standing with people who have been subjected to injustice, he added.

Tel Aviv’s recognition risks escalation in ‘very volatile region’

Mohamud said that Somalia retains the backing of the international community despite Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.

The Somali leader said the issue is critical given Israel’s recent actions in the Middle East, not only on Palestine but also in Syria and Lebanon, raising concerns about its involvement in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Horn of Africa, which he called a “very volatile region,” with Somalia already fighting ISIS (Daesh) and al-Shabaab.

He said an Israeli presence could trigger a conflict relapse in parts of Somalia and across neighboring countries around the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Gulf, noting that Yemen’s Houthis and Iran also have hostile relations with Israel.

“If Israel makes a proxy territory to attack the interests of other people, then those people will also attack back in Somaliland and Somalia, which is not going to be very good experience,” Mohamud warned.

He said establishing a military base in Somaliland and forcibly relocating Palestinians would escalate the conflict, a move the Somali government and people have categorically rejected.

Earlier, Mohamud told Qatari news network Al Jazeera that Somaliland has agreed to resettle Palestinians, host an Israeli military base, and join the Abraham Accords in return for recognition by Israel, citing intelligence reports.

Türkiye’s early investment paves way for foreign direct investment in Somalia

The Somali president highlighted the country’s strategic partnership with Türkiye, noting that their cooperation spans defense, security, investment, natural resources, maritime affairs, and the “Blue Economy.”

He said he recently briefed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Somalia’s progress in security, democratization, and state-building, and they discussed accelerating joint projects.

Mohamud said foreign direct investment will “definitely” come to Somalia.

Türkiye’s early investment has opened the Somali market to foreign direct investment, particularly in oil and gas, and that Somalia is poised to become an oil-producing country, he added.

“It's also going to be the big time for Türkiye to produce oil with its own technology, not by technology planted or hired from somewhere else,” he said.

Mohamud said the partnership will benefit both nations economically and diplomatically, giving Türkiye a first-mover advantage in a sector that requires long-term investment and carries high risk.

Türkiye also completed the necessary feasibility and design work for a space port it will establish in Somalia and the first phase of construction has begun.