By Prof. Nassir Hussein Kahin, Political Analyst, International Affairs Writer, and Managing Editor, bridgingsomaliland.com
The latest attacks by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan against Israel’s recognition of Somaliland are not about peace, sovereignty, or stability — they are about power, influence, profit and geopolitical control.
For years, Türkiye has presented its involvement in Somalia as humanitarian support. Yet Somalia remains unstable, elections remain uncertain, and governance fragile. If Turkish intervention was truly about nation-building, results would speak louder than speeches. Instead, Ankara now wages a diplomatic campaign to block Somaliland’s international legitimacy simply because it disrupts its strategic ambitions in the Red Sea.
This is not neutrality — it is interference.
Erdoğan condemns self-determination abroad while expanding military and economic influence across regions once tied to Ottoman history. Strategic ports, military bases, and access to maritime trade routes appear to matter more than democracy or local consent. Somaliland’s success — built without foreign troops — exposes that contradiction.
At the same time, global powers like China pressure Somaliland over its partnership with Taiwan, proving a simple truth: independent democracies anger expansionist agendas.
Somaliland has governed itself peacefully for over three decades, holding elections and transferring power — achievements still out of reach for Somalia. Attempts to bully or isolate it will fail, just as pressure failed against Taiwan and Somaliland by China.
If Erdoğan truly wants to help the Horn of Africa, he must end this diplomatic war and recognize political reality. Respect democracy. Respect self-determination. Or admit that influence — not humanity — drives Türkiye’s policy. Somaliland should close its Turkish Consulate in Hargeisa, if its policy is against Somaliland’s undeniable rightful re-recognition.
#Israel #Somaliland #TaiwanSomaliland #RedSea #USForeignPolicy #israelSecurity #BabAlmandeb #Ethiopia #Turkiya #Berbera #MaritimeSecurity
