MOGADISHU (KAAB TV) – The Somali parliament on Wednesday announced its endorsement of the Turkey-Somalia military pact, a deal shrouded in secrecy and met with mixed reactions both domestically and internationally.
The agreement, signed in Ankara earlier this month, has sparked debates over transparency, geopolitical implications, and the potential impact on regional dynamics.
Speaker of the Parliament, Aden Madobe, heralded the pact as a crucial step towards safeguarding Somalia’s maritime interests.
“The passage of this vital agreement signifies a pivotal step in our maritime defense capabilities. Through our partnership with Turkey, we bolster our ability to safeguard our sea waters,” Speaker Madobe affirmed.
However, opposition MPs raised concerns about the rushed approval process and the lack of transparency surrounding the agreement.
MP Mohamed Moalimuu highlighted the absence of parliamentary scrutiny and proper procedural channels in endorsing such a significant pact.
“It is indeed very unfortunate that Somali Federal Parliament approves a Defense & Economic pact between Somalia and Turkey without even reading the pact & obtaining the original copy. Today’s endorsement, which was not done in the right channel, is against the bylaws of both houses of our Parliament,” said MP Mohamed Moalimuu.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud acknowledged the secrecy surrounding the agreement but emphasized its focus on maritime defense and economic cooperation.
Amidst tensions with Ethiopia over the Ethiopia-Somaliland memorandum of understanding (MOU), President Mohamud stressed Somalia’s commitment to peaceful relations and combating shared challenges like piracy and terrorism.
“This Agreement is not against Ethiopia. Somalia doesn’t want to fight against any other country,” president Mohamud said.
“Somalia doesn’t want to see foreign countries fighting within its territory. Agreement will fight piracy, terrorism, illegal fishing, drugs and illegal maritime activities,” he added.
However, discrepancies emerged within the Somali government regarding the agreement’s significance.
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre lauded the pact as a historic milestone, praising Turkey for its support.
“Today is a historic day for the country, the Council of Ministers voted on an important agreement that will be remembered in the history of Somalia,” Barre said.
“This agreement will end Somalia without an ally and without a big brother. Somalia will have a true ally, a friend and a brother on the international stage,” he added.
Former MP Abdi Barre Jibril condemned the lack of transparency, underscoring Somalia’s governance challenges and the absence of detailed information about the pact has fueled speculation about its implications, particularly regarding military contracts and access to Somali resources.
“Somalia is the only country where rule of law does not exist. How would someone approve an agreement that they never scrutinised,” he said.
Insider sources suggest potential ties between the agreement and Turkey’s economic interests, including oil and mining exploration. Turkey’s previous memorandum with Somalia on energy and mining signed in 2016, involving Somaliland territories, adds complexity to the current pact amid concerns over regional stability.
Moreover, the agreement’s exclusion of Somalia’s federal member states from participation, despite constitutional requirements for resource-sharing involvement, raises questions about inclusivity and regional representation.
The geopolitical implications extend beyond Somalia, with implications for EU NAVFOR Somalia Operation ATALANTA. As the EU maritime military operation faces its conclusion, concerns arise about the potential impact of the Turkey-Somalia pact on maritime security and piracy prevention efforts in the region.
As debates continue and details of the agreement remain undisclosed, stakeholders both within and outside Somalia await further clarity on its terms.