Turkey has signed a defence cooperation deal with Somalia in terms of which it will assist Mogadishu with military training and equipment that will help it secure its maritime interests in the Red Sea region.
Somalia’s government recently signed a 10-year defence and economic cooperation agreement with Turkey, as strained relations between Mogadishu and Ethiopia continue over the use of the Red Sea Port of Berbera.
This comes after Ethiopia signed an agreement with Somalia’s breakaway region, Somaliland, last month to secure rights to access the Port of Berbera. In terms of the agreement, Somaliland will get a share in the state-owned Ethiopian Airlines and recognition of its sovereignty, which is not generally acknowledged by most governments.
However, Mogadishu lashed out at Ethiopia, accusing the country of interfering with its internal affairs as Somalia still considers Somaliland part of its national territory despite it gaining autonomy in 1991.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud told Reuters in a recent interview that the country would defend itself if Ethiopia finalised the Somaliland deal.
“If Ethiopia insists, Somalia will resist and will refuse. If they come into the country, Somalia will do everything that it can to defend itself,” Mohamud said.
The defence agreement with Turkey focuses on capacity building for the Somali army.
“We asked for their support not to fight Ethiopia or invade another country. It is to support us in defending our country. That is the origin of the agreement we have entered with Turkey,” he said.
The Somali Cabinet has approved the deal with Turkey, which includes a maritime security component.
“Turkey will build, train and equip the Somali navy as part of the government’s plan to fight terrorism, piracy, illegal fishing, toxic waste dumping and any external violations or threats to Somalia’s sea coast,” said Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre.
Turkey’s defence ministry confirmed the deal, adding that for nearly a decade Turkey has supported Somalia to reorganise its army and strengthen the fight against terrorism.
“Upon Somalia’s request, we will provide support in the field of maritime security, as we did in the field of fight against terrorism. Hence, we will help Somalia develop its capacity and capabilities to combat illegal and irregular activities in its territorial waters,” a Turkish defence ministry official told reporters.
Somalia has the longest coastline in Africa, covering almost 1 900 miles.
