Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Istanbul for high-level bilateral talks aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries. The meeting came in the wake of Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland as a sovereign state, a move that has sparked diplomatic backlash from Somalia and several other nations.
Following an official welcome ceremony, both leaders engaged in discussions centered on deepening Turkey–Somalia relations, with particular emphasis on security cooperation, economic ties, and political collaboration. Key issues on the agenda included Somalia’s ongoing fight against terrorism and the federal government’s efforts to preserve national unity and territorial integrity.
The talks were held against a sensitive geopolitical backdrop, as Somaliland which declared independence from Somalia over two decades ago has yet to receive recognition from any United Nations member state until Israel’s announcement last Friday. Somalia has strongly condemned the recognition, describing it as a violation of its sovereignty, while reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding national cohesion.
The Istanbul meeting underscored Turkey’s continued diplomatic and strategic engagement in the Horn of Africa, as well as its support for Somalia’s stability and unity amid evolving regional challenges.
