The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has strongly criticized Israel’s reported recognition of Somaliland, stating that the move would not benefit Somaliland or the wider Horn of Africa region.
Erdogan said he had previously condemned the decision in December, describing it as unlawful and unacceptable. He accused Israel of attempting to destabilize the Horn of Africa.
“I believe the region’s problems should be resolved by the countries of the region themselves, and the Horn of Africa should not be turned into an arena for foreign power competition. In this regard, I reiterate that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland does not serve the interests of Somaliland or the Horn of Africa,” Erdogan stated.
Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the Turkish leader emphasized that Turkey respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries in the region and does not seek new conflicts. He urged regional nations to resolve disputes through dialogue and warned against transforming the Horn of Africa into a battleground for competing foreign powers.
In recent years, Turkey has significantly expanded its influence in Africa, particularly in Somalia, where it trains security forces and maintains strong diplomatic and development ties, as well as relations with Ethiopia.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Somalia reportedly suspended agreements with the United Arab Emirates, accusing it of supporting Israel’s decision. Somalia also signed a defense agreement with Qatar, while Turkey deployed fighter jets to its military base in Somalia as a show of support for the federal government.