Ankara (Somalia Today) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held talks in Djibouti on Monday and is will travel to Turkey on Tuesday, as Mogadishu steps up diplomacy after Israel recognised Somaliland as a sovereign state.
The visits come days after Israel became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland, a move Somalia says violates its territorial integrity.
In Djibouti, Mohamud met President Ismail Omar Guelleh as Somalia sought closer coordination with regional partners.
A statement from Villa Somalia said the two leaders aligned their diplomatic messaging to defend Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and agreed to strengthen consultations with regional partners.
Israel announced the decision on Dec. 26, saying it had established relations with Somaliland through a mutual recognition arrangement. Israeli officials signaled interest in cooperation across sectors including agriculture, health, technology and the economy.
However, Somalia’s federal government rejected the move and said it would respond through “diplomatic, political, and legal channels.”
Mogadishu maintains that Somaliland is part of its internationally recognised territory and that recognition by a foreign state constitutes a violation of its sovereignty.
Ankara agenda
After Djibouti, Mohamud will travel to Ankara on Tuesday for talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Sources cited by Middle East Eye said the two presidents will discuss developments linked to Somaliland and ongoing offshore energy cooperation.
According to the sources, Mohamud will discuss the results of a seismic survey completed in October. They said the two presidents will make an announcement on the issue after their talks.
Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said last week that Ankara plans to begin drilling operations off the Somali coast in 2026, and his comments pointed to indications of hydrocarbon resources in the survey data.
Somalia and Turkey have expanded ties through defence and energy frameworks, including Turkish offshore exploration. Turkey has conducted seismic work off Somalia’s coast under the agreement.
Turkey has maintained a significant presence in Somalia since 2011, including humanitarian assistance and security cooperation that involves training Somali forces.
International pushback
Several governments and regional organisations have reaffirmed Somalia’s territorial integrity since Israel’s announcement.
The U.S. State Department said Washington continues to recognise Somalia’s territorial integrity, “which includes the territory of Somaliland,” according to a statement cited by the Associated Press.
China also reiterated its support for Somalia’s sovereignty and said it opposes efforts to divide Somalia’s territory.
In Europe, the EU affirmed its support for Somalia’s unity and encouraged dialogue between Somaliland and Somalia’s federal government.
Regional bodies have similarly issued supporting statements. The IGAD Secretariat rejected unilateral steps, saying they run against regional and international legal frameworks.
Somaliland declared independence in 1991 after Somalia’s central government collapsed. It has operated with its own institutions for decades, and Israel’s decision marked the first formal recognition by a state.
Mogadishu rejects Somaliland’s claim to statehood and has urged partners to treat Somaliland’s status as an issue to be addressed through dialogue within Somalia’s internationally recognised borders.
Somalia’s presidency said the government remains committed to protecting Somalia’s territorial unity and national sovereignty.
