Somalia Dismisses Defence Minister Amid US Pressure Over Turkey Relations
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud dismissed Defence Minister Abuldkadir Mohamed Nur due to US pressure over his close ties with Turkey. Nur’s reassignment follows concerns regarding slowed US military support against al-Shabab and apprehensions about Turkey’s activities in Somalia. While US officials sought Nur’s removal to enhance military cooperation, Turkey asserted that its relationship with Somalia will not be affected by leadership changes.
In a significant political shift, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia has dismissed Defence Minister Abuldkadir Mohamed Nur following intervention from the United States military. Nur has been reassigned to the position of Minister of Ports, as concerns arise over the slowing of US military assistance in Somalia’s efforts against the extremist group al-Shabab. Sources indicate that Nur’s collaboration with Turkey in military and energy agreements drew the ire of Washington, which favors closer ties with the United Arab Emirates in the region.
During Nur’s tenure, Somalia and Turkey forged a comprehensive agreement in February 2022 concerning naval, trade, and defense matters. While precise details of this accord remain undisclosed, it has been reported that it entails Turkey overseeing the protection of Somali maritime waters and aiding in the establishment of a Somali navy. This initiative was initiated in response to Ethiopia’s naval agreements with the breakaway region of Somaliland.
American military officials reportedly exerted pressure on President Mohamud to remove Nur from office, citing his insufficient coordination with US forces. Discussions regarding Nur’s dismissal reportedly occurred multiple times throughout the year, notably concerning American concerns about Turkey’s aspirations to establish a spaceport in Somalia and launches potentially interpreted as ballistic missile tests. Furthermore, US authorities expressed dissatisfaction over Turkey’s ventures to exploit oil and gas resources in Somali territory.
The deployment of two Bayraktar Akinci armed drones by Turkey to Mogadishu has been identified as a pivotal factor leading to US demands for Nur’s removal. American officials allegedly made it clear that failure to dismiss Nur could jeopardize US security cooperation with Somalia against al-Shabab. Recently, the US embassy in Mogadishu issued a warning regarding potential al-Shabab attacks in the city, which resulted in flight cancellations by several airlines, including Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines.
In recent months, the US has also targeted funding for Somali security forces, leading to significant challenges for the elite Danab Special Forces unit. Somali Finance Minister Bihi Iman Egeh announced the need for alternative funding sources to sustain the salaries of these special forces in light of reduced US support. In contrast, Ahmed Abdullahi Sheikh, a former commander of Danab, applauded the leadership change instated by Mohamud.
Despite Nur’s dismissal, a Turkish official insisted that this change would not adversely affect the long-standing relationship between Turkey and Somalia, which is maintained through institutional frameworks rather than individual figures. This official affirmed Turkey’s commitment to supporting Somalia across various sectors, including infrastructure and defense. Experts predict that future cooperation will focus on reinforcing institutional capabilities to ensure strategic partnerships continue to thrive, aligning mutual interests between the two nations.
The recent dismissal of Defence Minister Abuldkadir Mohamed Nur highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics in Somalia, particularly concerning US-Turkey relations. Amid US pressure for improved military coordination, Nur’s stronger ties with Turkey led to significant changes in the Somali governmental landscape. While this shift may pose challenges, officials emphasize that the longstanding diplomatic and cooperative ties between Turkey and Somalia remain intact, bolstered by a focus on institutional relationships moving forward.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
