Turkey and Somalia Ink Onshore Exploration Agreement, Deepening Their Energy Collaboration
CREDIT / SONNA
Mogadishu Celebrates Turkish Partnership
In a show of camaraderie, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, alongside military brass, greets an honor guard in Mogadishu. This ceremony shines a spotlight on Turkey’s steadfast partnership with Somalia, particularly with recent strides in defense and energy collaboration.
Agreement Spurs Energy Exploration
Mogadishu (AX) – In a leap towards bolstering economic partnership, Turkey and Somalia ink a landmark agreement targeting onshore oil and gas pursuits, heralding a groundbreaking era in Somalia’s drive for growth rooted in natural resources.
An alliance forged between Turkey’s state-run powerhouse, TPAO, and Somalia’s petroleum authority on Friday seals the deal in Mogadishu.
This pact paves the way for Turkey’s Oruc Reis vessel to conduct seismic studies along Somalia’s coast, unlocking the country’s uncharted energy reserves.
The Oruc Reis’s arrival at Mogadishu’s port kicks off this offshore endeavor, further fueling Somalia’s resource exploration initiative. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, a notable attendee, echoed Turkey’s resolve to bolster Somalia’s energy ambitions. “Through this pact, we are set to spearhead oil and gas research on Somali terrain,” Bayraktar articulated.
Beyond Economics: A Broader Support
Turkey’s influence in Somalia surpasses business interests, stretching into educational, healthcare, and security domains, evidenced by Turkish aid leading to new schools, hospitals, and utilities springing up across Somalia. A massive Turkish military compound opened its gates in 2017 in Mogadishu, serving as a training ground for Somali forces, underscoring the close-knit alliance.
The Somali Petroleum and Minerals Minister, Abdirizak Omar Mohamed, charts the course ahead, emphasizing the seismic data harvest under this accord. The initiative, tracing back to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s earlier stint in 2013, sees marked progress now with the Oruc Reis embarking on 3D seismic endeavors to map potential oil and gas caches. Mohamed pointed out that successful outcomes could drive Somalia towards economic autonomy.
Information Minister Daud Aweys Jama sheds light on a broader perspective, casting the Oruc Reis mission as a potential game-changer in Somalia’s battle against economic woes. He highlighted the preparatory groundwork laid by Somali and Turkish entities as a bedrock for lasting growth, noting, “The Oruc Reis touching Somali waters represents a rare chance for tackling longstanding economic hurdles.”
The Promise of Partnership
Collaboration with Turkey offers Somalia a lifeline towards overcoming decades-long economic hurdles and securing a niche in the energy domain.
CAPTION: Somalia’s Petroleum and Minerals Minister Abdirisak Omar Mohamed shakes hands warmly with Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar during the latter’s visit to Mogadishu. Their talks further cement Turkey’s pivotal role in Somalia’s climb up the resource ladder. CREDIT / SONNA
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
