Somalia Endorses Defense Deal With Turkey
Defense News ,Somalia ,Turkey :- In a significant move, Somalia's leaders have given their nod to a crucial defense agreement with Turkey, aiming to protect its coastline amid tensions with Ethiopia over a maritime deal. The ten-year partnership will not only fortify Somalia's maritime defenses but also contribute to the reconstruction of its naval forces, as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced after a parliamentary session.
President Mohamud clarified that the agreement primarily focuses on cooperation between Somalia and Turkey in maritime defense and the economy. He emphasized that the deal is not intended to create animosity with any other country but to safeguard Somalia's maritime territory against terrorists and those infringing on its lawful rights.
The backdrop to this agreement involves a dispute between Somalia and Ethiopia. In January, Ethiopia's signing of a maritime deal with the breakaway region of Somaliland, granting Ethiopia access to the sea, sparked tensions. Somalia strongly opposes negotiations that could compromise its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Deputy Defence Minister Abdifatah Kassim highlighted Somalia's stance, asserting that the agreement with Turkey is a direct response to safeguarding the nation's sovereignty. Kassim stated that Turkey is the ideal choice to defend Somalia's coasts.
Turkey, a NATO member, enjoys close ties with Somalia, serving as its primary economic partner. The relationship spans construction, education, health sectors, and military collaboration. Turkey's largest overseas military base and training facility are located in Somalia, where over 5,000 members of the Somali security forces have already received training.
The partnership with Turkey is crucial as Somalia prepares to take over security responsibilities from the African Union peacekeeping mission (ATMIS), whose troops are scheduled to depart by year-end. Somalia has faced persistent challenges, including civil war and the ongoing threat from the Al-Shabaab jihadist militant group.
Despite ongoing military efforts against Al-Shabaab, the group continues to launch attacks against both security forces and civilians. Turkey has consistently supported Somalia's sovereignty, especially in response to the Ethiopia-Somaliland memorandum of understanding.
This memorandum involves Somaliland leasing 20 kilometers of its coast to Ethiopia for 50 years, enabling Ethiopia to establish a naval base and commercial port. In return, Ethiopia is expected to provide formal recognition to Somaliland. Somalia views this as a violation of its maritime borders.
Ethiopia, the second most populous country in Africa and landlocked, has sought sea access since Eritrea's independence in 1993. Somaliland, while relatively stable compared to Somalia, faces isolation due to a lack of international recognition, hindering its ability to benefit from its strategic position on the Gulf of Aden.
The maritime route from the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea is crucial for global shipping. Recently, Iran-backed Houthi rebels have disrupted this vital lane in solidarity with Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
With the new pact, Turkey aims to protect Somalia's coast from various threats, including pirates, terrorists, and those infringing on maritime borders, such as Ethiopia. This collaboration reinforces Somalia's security and sovereignty in a region marked by geopolitical complexities.
