“Turkey Is Looting Somalia,” Somali MP Abdullahi Hashi Abib says in a conversation with N12, accusing Erdogan of expanding Turkish influence over Somalia as Israel-Turkey rivalry intensifies
By Tomer Almagor, N12
Key Takeaways
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Over the past two years, Turkey has deepened its influence in Somalia, expanding its role across numerous sectors.
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Somali MP Abdullahi Hashi Abib says: “They want to take over Somalia.”
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Experts say Somalia is of major strategic importance to Turkey and serves its ambitions to become a middle power.
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Israel has also entered the arena over the past year, particularly following its recognition of Somaliland and amid growing tensions with Turkey.
“Erdogan does whatever he wants in Somalia. The Turks are looting Somalia,” Somali MP Abdullahi Hashi Abib, who in recent years has become one of the most prominent voices in the Somali opposition to Turkey’s growing involvement in the African country, told N12.
In his conversation with N12, Abib described what he sees as a Turkish takeover of Somali politics and key industries, as part of a broader Turkish effort to strengthen its position and establish itself as a middle power.
“They have taken over our entire fishing industry, they control the seaports and the airport, they train our security personnel, control the maritime spaces, they are placing their satellites here and trying to establish another base in Somalia. We are in a strategic location, and they want to take over Somalia,” the opposition MP said.
Shiri Payne-Grossman, executive director of the Institute for Israel-Africa Relations, emphasized that Abib is not a lone voice in Somalia. She said there is a political current in the country that opposes Turkey’s presence and the agreements that give Ankara significant influence over many of Somalia’s natural resources.
She added that Abib is a “pronounced and serious voice” against Turkish involvement and that the political current he represents has become a strong critic of Turkish influence, which it argues has failed to deliver the benefits promised to Somalia.
Omar Mahmoud, a Somalia and Horn of Africa expert at the International Crisis Group (ICG), explained that Turkey began to become significantly involved in Somalia in 2011, when it provided humanitarian assistance to the country amid a severe famine.
“Shortly after that, Turkey secured contracts to manage the port and airport in Mogadishu, and later became involved in the reconstruction of the Somali army. These collaborations continue to this day,” Mahmoud told N12.
He said Turkey chose to invest in Somalia despite the risks because it saw significant potential in the country.
Mahmoud explained that the past two years have witnessed a “further deepening of Turkish involvement in Somalia.” Mogadishu has turned to its allies in an effort to counter Somaliland’s independence initiative, while Turkey has gained a significant foothold in Somalia’s oil and fishing sectors and expanded projects in security and space.
“Somalia is important to Turkey’s broader ambitions to become a middle power, and perhaps even beyond,” Mahmoud said. He added that Somalia could serve as a “springboard” for Turkey to deepen its involvement across Africa and throughout the Indian Ocean region.
Abdullahi Hashi Abib also claimed that he had previously been offered money to help advance various Turkish demands, but that he had refused.
He alleged that many members of Parliament receive bribes from Turkey, making it difficult, in his view, to pass legislation that would reduce Ankara’s involvement in Somalia.
Mahmoud emphasized that corruption is a “huge problem” in Somalia but said he was not specifically familiar with the allegations made by Abib.
“Israel and Turkey Are Fighting for a Presence in the Red Sea”
Somalia has increasingly become a flashpoint between Israel and Turkey, which have been at odds for months.
Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, which seeks international recognition of its sovereignty, angered the Somali government. The Israeli move also gave Jerusalem a foothold in a strategically important area near the Red Sea and Yemen, where the Houthis remain a significant factor in regional security.
Fine-Grossman emphasized the strategic importance of the broader region, saying that “Israel and Turkey are fighting for a presence in the Red Sea.”
According to a CNN report, Israel has deployed forces to the African country during its campaign against Iran.
Abib, who strongly opposed Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, said he is trying to persuade the U.S. government and the Somali public to take action against Turkish intervention. He also said he hopes Israel will do the same.
According to Abib, his call for cooperation with Israel “reflects how much we hate Turkey and what it does to us.”
