Hargeisa, Somaliland – Turkey has pledged new development projects in Somaliland, while President Cirro is working on establishing direct relations between Turkey and Somaliland.

The Turkish Ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktaş, concluded a two-day visit to Somaliland, where he met with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Cirro) and Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Adan. Their discussions focused on development cooperation, investment opportunities, and diplomatic relations. This meeting marked the first official engagement between Somaliland and the Turkish Ambassador since Cirro’s election.

Turkey’s Commitment to Somaliland’s Development

During the visit, Turkey reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Somaliland’s development, stating that the purpose of the trip was to assess past Turkish contributions and plan new key projects for the near future.

“We have evaluated Turkey’s support for Somaliland’s development, and we are preparing significant projects to be implemented soon,” read a statement from the Turkish Embassy in Somalia.

The Somaliland Presidency also released a statement highlighting its discussions with the Turkish Ambassador, describing the meeting as a step towards strengthening ties between Somaliland and Turkey.

“The President informed the Turkish Ambassador that the Republic of Somaliland is highly interested in establishing direct, strong, and multi-faceted relations with Turkey,” the statement from the Somaliland Presidency read.

Engagement with Political Leaders

Beyond official meetings, the Turkish Ambassador also met with leaders of the Kaah Party and the ruling Waddani Party in Somaliland. The Chairman of the Kaah Party Mahamoud Hashi Abdi, emphasized the historical ties between Somaliland and Turkey, which could lead to enhanced cooperation and collaboration.

“The Republic of Somaliland and Turkey share historical ties that could pave the way for stronger cooperation and partnership,” Mahamoud Hashi Abdi stated in a post on Platform X.

Diplomatic Implications

Although Turkey has historically supported Somalia’s territorial unity, this new engagement with Somaliland signals a potential diplomatic shift, which could have significant implications for the region’s future.