Turkey Expands Influence In Africa update

What is Osman sultan Erdogan up to?

"Key Takeaway:

• Turkey. Turkey has recently advanced economic and security ties with Niger and Somalia, viewing both countries as its African anchor states through which it can further its strategic interests in Africa. These partnerships aim to address several domestic concerns, such as patronage and energy security, and bolster Turkey’s international standing vis-à-vis global competitors.

..."

Turkey Expands Influence In Africa: Africa File, April 16, 2026 | Critical Threats

Somalia canceled all bilateral agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) because of Somaliland

Bad news! Why did the UAE help Israel to recognize Somaliland as claimed?

Apparently, the UAE is also involved in the civil war in Sudan.

"Somalia canceled all bilateral agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which legally annuls UAE access to key Red Sea ports and military bases, although local governments have rejected the decision. The Somali Federal Government’s move could also have negative implications on counterterrorism efforts, given the UAE’s support for Somali federal and state forces combating al Qaeda and Islamic State–linked groups. ...

The Somali Federal Government (SFG) canceled all bilateral agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which comes after the UAE facilitated Israel’s recognition of the breakaway Somaliland region. The SFG cabinet stated on January 12 that the cancellation applies to both deals signed with the SFG and all federal member states. The cabinet also specifically referenced port agreements in the Jubbaland and Puntland states and Somaliland.

The cabinet justified the cancellation by accusing the UAE of “hostile and destabilizing actions undermining national sovereignty.” ... 

The UAE would lose access to military bases along the Gulf of Aden in Puntland and Somaliland that it uses to support operations against the Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthis and other maritime security operations. ...

The loss of access would hinder the UAE’s ability to supply the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan’s civil war. The UAE is the primary backer of the RSF, with UAE support helping the RSF halt a Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) offensive toward western Sudan in early 2025, consolidate control of western Sudan, and launch an ongoing offensive in central Sudan in late 2025. The UAE provides weapons—including drones—and equipment to the RSF using a sprawling regional network, including bases in Chad and Libya. ..."

Somalia Cancels Uae Agreements; Sudan Pakistan Arms Deal: Africa File, January 15, 2026 | Critical Threats

Figure 2. Emirati-Linked Weapons Shipments in the Horn of Africa

UN Security Council to hold emergency session on Israel's recognition of Somaliland on 12/26/2025

It is a quasi Arab, Islamic country that exists only since 1991! How desperate is Israel to form diplomatic ties or find allies? The land of the Dervishes!

Or is this some kind of diversion by Israel?

Somalia does not recognize Somaliland and claims it is part of Somalia.

"The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) will convene in New York for an emergency session on Monday afternoon following Israel’s recognition of Somaliland.

The session will be held at the request of Somalia.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Jerusalem officially recognized Somaliland on Friday, making Israel the first UN member state to recognize the nation as an independent and sovereign state. ..."

UNSC to hold session on Israel's recognition of Somaliland | The Jerusalem Post "Somaliland hopes that recognition by Israel will encourage other nations to follow suit, increasing its diplomatic heft and access to international markets."

Somali capital holds first direct election in over five decades

Good news!

US Representative James Comer warns alleged fraud seen in Minnesota is likely more widespread than initially believed

I bet there is more, similar fraud found in other states etc.!

It has been known for several decades that the welfare state is prone to significant abuse and fraud by recipients!

"... Federal prosecutors have uncovered multiple alleged fraud schemes involving Somali immigrants in Minnesota that have siphoned billions in taxpayer money from food, welfare and autism safety net programs recently. The investigations have netted 77 indictments so far, with 56 convictions. ..."

Comer warns alleged fraud seen in Minnesota is likely more widespread than initially believed | Just The News "Comer said his committee is investigating several areas and that revelations from whistleblowers counter Democratic claims that illegal migrants are not on welfare programs and that there is no fraud or abuse within the welfare system."

These women are rebuilding Somalia's capital from the ground up

Bravo! These engineers are trailblazers! Unfortunately, BBC chose the annoying narrow video format for YouTube!

Al-Shabaab Terrorists try to Assassinate Somalia's President with Palki Sharma

Again, the scourge of Islamist terrorism!

Trump Conducts First Airstrikes of 2nd Term, Targets ISIS Somalia with Palki Sharma

Recommendable! Why now this attack by President Trump?

Trump says he ordered airstrikes against ISIS in Somalia

This breaking news! Why Trump issued this order is not quite clear!

Why was this announced on social media, presumably X?

Why did he not attack the Houthis in Yemen? Was it to avoid risking to kill civilians?

""These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies," Trump wrote on social media. "The strikes destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians."

President Donald Trump on Saturday said he ordered military airstrikes in Somalia against the Islamic State or ISIS, which were aimed at a terrorist attack organizer and others from the terrorist group.

"These killers, who we found hiding in caves, threatened the United States and our Allies," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. "The strikes destroyed the caves they live in, and killed many terrorists without, in any way, harming civilians."

Trump said former President Joe Biden and "his cronies wouldn't act quickly enough to get the job done."

The identity of the targeted attack planner was not immediately released.  

"The message to ISIS and all others who would attack Americans is that 'WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!'" Trump wrote. ..."

Trump says he ordered airstrikes against ISIS in Somalia | Just The News

Trump says he ordered airstrikes on Islamic State in Somalia

Ethiopia & Somalia Agree to Defuse Tensions: Win for Turkish Diplomacy? with Palki Sharma

I suppose good news! 

External Meddling For The Red Sea Exacerbates Conflicts In The Horn Of Africa

This seems to be a recommendable article. The article contains some interesting visual information summarizing the article.

The Horn of Africa, for many years a heavy embattled area of foreign power politics!

Caveat: I did not read the entire long article, but I know the source of this article. 

Africa File Special Edition: External Meddling For The Red Sea Exacerbates Conflicts In The Horn Of Africa | Critical Threats

Why did Egypt-Somali alliance spark an alarm in Ethiopia?

Recommendable! More on the Horn of Africa and the Nile river.

Turkey will deploy navy to Somalia as a security force for the next two years to protect fossil energy interests

Osman sultan Erdogan at work!

Reminder: Turkey is a NATO member!

"... Turkey's parliament approved a motion to deploy its naval forces to Somalia as it seeks to implement deals signed in early 2024 that will make Turkey the main security force in Somali waters over the next two years as it builds the Somali Navy’s capacity. Somalia likely intends to use its partnership with Turkey to counter Ethiopia’s controversial port agreement with the de facto independent breakaway Somaliland region. Turkey’s growing influence in Somalia is a major economic and geopolitical gain for Turkey that could jeopardize its ties with Ethiopia and shape the Turkish-Emirati rivalry in the Red Sea and Horn of Africa. ...

Turkey has been a major partner in Somalia since the early 2010s. Turkey established its first African military base in Mogadishu in 2017 to help train and arm the elite Haramcad and Gorgor special force units, which play important roles in the fight against al Shabaab. Between 2011 and 2022, Turkey provided $1 billion in aid for projects in the health and education sectors, municipal services, and infrastructure projects, landing Turkey middle on the list of providers of official direct aid to Somalia. Turkey and Somalia have grown even closer in 2024 with the signing of a gas and oil cooperation deal in Istanbul in March that expands the February 2024 economic-military agreement. The March deal gives the state-owned company Turkish Petroleum exploration and production rights off the coast of Somalia. Somali and Turkish officials have also held at least four high-level meetings in 2024.

Somali forces have minimal naval capabilities, which will make Somalia dependent on Turkish forces and presumably Turkish-supplied assets as part of the cooperation. ..."

Africa File, August 8, 2024: Mali Ukraine Dispute; Turkey Prepares To Ship Out To Somalia | Critical Threats

Puntland Withdrawing from Somalia over Constitution Change? with Palki Sharma

Recommendable! When will Somalia finally become a normal and peaceful country after more than 30 years of military conflict!

Somalia Signs Maritime Deal with Turkey: Ethiopia Cornered? with Palki Sharma

What is Erdogan up to? Turkey is a NATO member!

US Building 5 New Bases in Somalia | Who is the Target? with Palki Sharma

Indian Navy thwarts Hijacking Bid in the Arabian Sea with Palki Sharma

Very recommendable! India, a rising superpower is taking navy action against Somali pirates.

Will Ethiopia's Red Sea Port Deal with Somaliland Lead to War? with Palki Sharma

Recommendable! Concerning! More tensions in a volatile region!

Beekeeping gains traction in Somalia

Very sweet! Honey rhymes with money! I wonder what the distinct taste of this honey might be?

Could groundwater drilling solve the drought problems in the Horn of Africa? Of course!

Good news!

If I am not mistaken, then it has been known for several decades that there are e.g. gigantic groundwater reservoirs underneath the Sahara desert.