Somalia denies claims Türkiye is ‘unilaterally benefiting’ from oil, stresses sovereignty ahead of elections
Somalia’s government has rejected online claims that Türkiye is reaping one-sided gains from the country’s natural resources, insisting a new energy partnership protects Somalia’s sovereignty and benefits its people as political tensions rise ahead of elections later this year.
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The Somali National News Agency said Friday that “allegations” circulating on social media about Türkiye’s exclusive benefit from Somali oil were “baseless,” describing them as part of disinformation aimed at undermining bilateral cooperation. Officials said a joint agreement between Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) and the Somali Petroleum Authority makes clear that natural resources belong to the Somali people and that any exploration or production must adhere to national law and safeguard the state’s sovereign interests.
- State media: Allegations of a one-sided oil deal with Türkiye are “baseless.”
- Agreement: TPAO–Somali Petroleum Authority pact affirms Somali ownership of resources.
- Context: Rising political polarization ahead of direct elections in 2026.
- Operations: Türkiye’s Cagri Bey vessel departed Feb. 15 to begin offshore exploration.
- Broader ties: Recent police equipment transfer and telecoms MoU underscore expanding cooperation.
Officials from both countries emphasized the energy partnership rests on transparency, mutual respect and the preservation of Somalia’s sovereignty, according to the agency.
The denial comes as the government and opposition trade barbs over major policy moves in the run-up to nationally significant polls, with energy, minerals and telecoms agreements drawing particular scrutiny. Somali political analyst Abdulweli Beri said criticism that Mogadishu’s partnership with Ankara is “one-sided” has intensified for “political and economic reasons,” noting resource deals are inherently sensitive because they tie into questions of sovereignty and future wealth.
“In the Somali case, any perception that an external party may obtain a large share or long-term privileges automatically raises concerns among elites and the opposition,” he said. The current debate, he added, is unfolding amid heightened polarization, where “in the absence of full clarity on some details, this information gap is often filled by political narratives or public concerns.”
Somalia’s outreach to Türkiye has accelerated in recent months, both as internal disputes with the opposition deepen and after Israel recognized the breakaway region of North Western State of Somalia in December, shifting dynamics around the Horn of Africa, according to Somali reporting.
On Feb. 15, the vessel Cagri Bey departed Türkiye for Somalia to begin offshore exploration under economic and defense cooperation agreements signed by the two governments. Turkish-Somali coordination has also widened beyond energy: on Feb. 18, Interior Security Minister Gen. Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail accepted new military equipment for the national police from Türkiye’s ambassador in Mogadishu, and on Feb. 10, the Somali Communications Authority signed a memorandum of understanding with Türkiye’s Information and Communication Technologies Authority to boost collaboration in electronic communications.
The two countries marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations on Jan. 28 at a ceremony hosted by Somalia’s embassy in Ankara, underscoring a partnership that now spans infrastructure, social services, security and investment.
Beri said the government’s clarifications were aimed at preempting a political backlash that could stall joint projects at a delicate moment, arguing Somalia will remain keen to preserve the relationship. He added that Türkiye is likely to maintain its presence, given its strategic interests in the Horn of Africa.
Authorities have not released further details on exploration timelines or fiscal terms. But Friday’s message from Mogadishu signaled a determination to keep the Türkiye track on course while assuring the public that “resources belong to the Somali people” and will be developed under Somali law.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
