Wednesday July 24, 2024
Somaliland Coast Guard on patrol in territorial waters. (Credit: EUNAVFOR)
Hargeisa (HOL) - The Government of the Republic of Somaliland firmly opposes any potential deployment of Turkish naval forces within its recognized maritime zones, emphasizing that such actions constitute a grave violation of international law and threaten regional stability.
A press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday stated, "Any unilateral action by external entities, such as the reported intention of Turkish naval forces to operate in Somaliland maritime zones, constitutes a grave violation of international law and Somaliland's sovereign rights."
The breakaway republic claims its maritime boundaries, inherited when it declared independence in 1991, are inviolable. Somaliland believes these boundaries demarcated between Somaliland and Somalia (formerly Italian Somalia) are internationally recognized and should remain respected by all external entities, including the administration in Mogadishu.
The Somaliland government has called on the international community to honour and uphold the sanctity of its maritime boundaries. "We urge all stakeholders to support efforts aimed at maintaining peace, security, and stability in the region," the statement added.
Somaliland's apprehension follows a series of strategic agreements between Turkey and Somalia earlier this year. In February 2024, Turkey and Somalia signed a defence and economic cooperation deal to bolster Somalia's maritime defence capabilities and establish a Somali navy. The deal also allows Turkey to conduct hydrocarbon exploration and production in Somali waters.
Turkey's involvement in Somalia intensified after Ethiopia's agreement with Somaliland in January, granting Addis Ababa the right to build a military port in Somaliland. The development led to increased Turkish commitment to Somalia, including deploying Turkish naval forces to protect Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) ships conducting drilling operations in Somali waters.
On July 19, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan introduced a motion to the Turkish parliament seeking a two-year mandate for deploying Turkish troops to Somali territorial waters. The motion cites the February agreement and a formal request from the Somali government as bases for this action. It aims to support Somalia in combating threats such as terrorism, piracy, illegal fishing, and smuggling.
The motion also references a UN Security Council resolution supporting Somalia's fight against terrorism, providing a legal basis for Turkish involvement. However, the contents of the February agreement still need to be presented to the Turkish parliament for ratification.
However, not everyone in Turkey supports the deployment. Opposition leader Yankı Bağcıoğlu has voiced concerns about the strain on Turkey's national security and current military operations. He emphasized the need to evaluate the deployment's potential risks carefully.
The Horn of Africa's strategic significance, driven by its prime geographical location and abundant mineral and marine resources, has drawn interest from several global powers, including the UAE, Iran, Russia, China, and the US. The competition for influence complicates Turkey's regional ambitions.
The government of Somaliland reiterated its commitment to defending its territorial integrity and sovereignty against any encroachment. "We stand firm in our commitment to upholding the rule of law in international relations," the government stated.