Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is set to visit Türkiye on Tuesday to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as diplomatic pressure mounts following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland. Two sources told Middle East Eye that the visit, scheduled before the weekend announcement, has taken on added political weight. Ankara officials expect Israel’s decision, announced days before 29 December 2025, to feature prominently in the talks.

Israel became the first country to formally recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region that declared independence in 1991 after the collapse of the Somali state. No permanent member of the UN Security Council has recognized its sovereignty. U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington was “not ready” to follow Israel’s lead, underscoring the move’s diplomatic isolation.

Energy Survey, Strategic Leverage

Alongside diplomacy, Mohamud plans to discuss the results of a Turkish seismic survey completed in October 2025. Sources told MEE that both leaders are expected to make an announcement. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said last week that Türkiye aims to begin offshore drilling near Somalia in 2026, signaling potential hydrocarbon prospects identified during the survey.

Under a confidential defense and energy cooperation agreement signed in 2024, Türkiye committed to protecting Somali territorial waters amid rising tensions with Ethiopia. As part of that deal, a Turkish seismic research vessel, escorted by Turkish naval ships, conducted exploration activities off Somalia’s coast. The arrangement links energy access with maritime security, tightening Ankara’s role along the Horn of Africa.

Ankara’s Long-Term Footprint

Türkiye’s engagement with Somalia dates back to 2011, when Erdogan’s government began large-scale humanitarian and security investments. Since then, Ankara has provided more than $1 billion in aid, established its largest embassy worldwide in Mogadishu, and built the Turksom military base. Thousands of Somali troops have received training either in Türkiye or at the Mogadishu facility.

Turkish companies manage Mogadishu’s airport and port, and Ankara has announced plans for a spaceport in Somalia. These projects anchor a relationship that blends development, defense, and commercial access, giving Türkiye sustained influence in the western Indian Ocean.