Will the Türkiye-Somalia Oil and Gas Deal Be a Game Changer For the Horn of Africa?

Turkiye is strengthening its presence in the Horn of Africa, as over the span of a month the nation made two deals with Somalia in the areas of defence and energy. This comes at a time of growing tensions in the region, as the US and UK keep retaliating against Houthi rebel attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea. But Somalia is also against a controversial Ethiopan-led port deal, one that's had the country seek assistance from Ankara to support its maritime security.

But the latest deal between the two nations is about oil and natural gas exploration in Somalia's land and sea blocks. The Turkish energy minister and his Somali counterpart signed the agreement in Ankara. Turkiye, has long provided financial and humanitarian support to Somalia, where it has a military facility it gives training to the Somali army. Ankara also supports Mogadishu in its dispute with landlocked Ethiopia, as Addis Ababa had signed a deal with Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland, which will give it access to the sea. While Somalia's parliament has approved the defence and economic cooperation agreement with Turkiye, a security deal with the United Arab Emirates is yet to be ratified since last year.

Strait Talk, hosted by Ayse Suberker, is TRT World’s programme that features in-depth analysis of Türkiye’s role in the world.

Guests:
Thomas O'Donnell
Global Fellow at Wilson Center

Federico Donelli
Assistant Professor at University of Trieste

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[MrShaacir]

We will not forget Turkiye specially the current president Mr Erdogan Allah save you and all Turkish people 🇹🇷🤝🇸🇴❤🥰

[LJama]

🇸🇴🤝🇹🇷 We don't want food aid, we need to see deals that is going to benefit us both.

[hapuunofficial]

as a somali i rather share goods with turkey than the arab countries turkey are brave hearted people and loyal patner

[nnteam]

We have been waiting for 100 years to see turkeyi flag for our nation we welcome our brothers 🇸🇴🇸🇴🇸🇴🇸🇴🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷

[mayo]

When the Ottoman empire was in the Horn of Africa, Somali people were united in all its territories and they were formidable forces to defend their religion and land against Portugal supported christian expansionist Abyssinians who wanted to reach the Red Sea. The return of ottoman sons and daughters ( Turkish people) to this region and most importantly to the world stage is a great news not only to Somalia but the rest of the Islamic world.

[maxamedsuldaanmursal]

Great reverence and appreciation from Somalia to turkiye beloved and dear to our hearts 🇸🇴❤🇹🇷

[Bareh]

The best deal mutual benefit for both As Djiboutian 🇩🇯 we are glad to see Somalia and turkiye deal. Somalians, the only country can be trusted is Turkiye 🇹🇷 that what they say when it come there oil and gas

[raghedanan]

I’m very much appreciated watching this video ! Thank you TRT for sharing this with us. 👍👍👍🇸🇴🇸🇴🇸🇴❤️❤️❤️🇹🇷🇹🇷🇹🇷

[TruthNeverHurt]

Its a win win for both countries 🇸🇴 🇹🇷

[mohammedabdi]

Long life turkiya u are in our heart❤ wlhi we love i so much

[abdiibrahim]

UAE wants to stop Somalia to stand on it's feet because of two reason:-
1. Occupation of it's ports for strategic commercial reasons.
2. Blocking to have oil & gas because of greediness reasons.

[leetali]

Somalia don’t want anything to do with United emirates Arab, they work for Israel we don’t want United Emirates Arabs nowhere near Somalia. We love Turkey, the true Muslim Brothers of Turkey. Everybody can see what’s happening around the world. We don’t want nothing to do with United Emirates or any Arab nations. We don’t want nothing to do with them we only love Turkey, Turkey, long live. Insha

[ALLAHISENOUGHFORPALASTINE]

Turkiye should protect the somalis hearts that trusted them. If it was another nation somalis would be protesting.

[roblemohamed]

Definitely it will be a game changer for both brotherly countries, Turkiyē 🇹🇷 and Somalia 🇸🇴.

[mustafadiriye]

98% of Somali people have faith and trust in the Turkish government and its people.

[MHaashi]

Somalia, people and the government have full confidence with Turkish cooperation! I believe that significant progress will be made in the near future. There is not much interest in the region, the brokering of the UAE and the stagnation of Western companies that have not made any significant progress in the African continent! Of course, Somalia is a virgin country, in terms of natural resources such as oil, fish and tourism, and the competition is open and the doors are open for investment!

[daawadmedia]

Yes of course, it will be beneficial insha Allah.

[btfykwx]

We welcome our brothers turkey and we need their investment

[AbdulTrumps]

My allah bless turkey. My dad worked at the turkish embassy in muqdisho. He said the turkish military was the most professional people. Long live turkey🇹🇷❣️

[Vivo]

We trust Turkey but we nothing to do with United Emirates and we don't see them near to our country