Israel’s recognition of breakaway Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state benefits neither Somalia nor the wider Horn of Africa region, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Tuesday, according to the state-run Anadolu news agency.
Israel announced in late December that it had recognized Somaliland, becoming the first country to do so. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but has not been recognized by the United Nations.
“I would like to reiterate that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland would benefit neither Somaliland nor the Horn of Africa,” Erdoğan said at a joint news conference with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Addis Ababa.
Israel’s move drew condemnation from several regional actors. Turkey described the decision as unlawful, saying it was aimed at creating instability and amounted to explicit interference in Somalia’s internal affairs.
Erdoğan said countries in the region should develop their own solutions to regional problems and urged that the Horn of Africa not be turned into “an arena of struggle for foreign powers.”
He said Turkey attaches importance to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states in the region and does not want new conflicts to add to what he described as a geography that has already endured significant turmoil.
Referring to Turkey’s mediation efforts between Ethiopia and Somalia under the Ankara Process, Erdoğan thanked both sides for what he called their constructive stance.
“Once stability is achieved, we see no obstacle to the Horn of Africa attaining a position that attracts attention with its economic opportunities,” he said.
Turkey has expanded its presence in Africa in recent years, including by training Somalia’s security forces and deepening political and economic ties with countries such as Ethiopia.
In response to Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, Somalia cut diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates, accusing it of backing the move. Mogadishu has since signed a defense pact with Qatar, while Turkey has sent fighter jets to its military base in Somalia and reportedly also armored vehicles in a show of support for the Somali government.
Turkey is a close partner of Somalia and has broadened its security and economic role there over the past decade, including through military training and energy cooperation.