By Abukar Osman - Reporter
Somalia (Dawan Africa) A renewed debate has emerged in Somalia following the launch of Türkiye’s first offshore oil drilling operations, exposing deep divisions among political and academic elites over the legality and strategic value of the agreement with Türkiye.
At the center of the debate is Somali senator and academic Abdi Ismail Samatar, who strongly criticized the deal, describing Türkiye’s activities in Somali waters as “resource piracy.” In a post on X, Samatar argued that the defense and petroleum agreements between Somalia and Türkiye are “fraudulent,” noting that the Somali parliament has not reviewed their texts.
He accused Ankara of proceeding with exploration despite knowing the agreements lack transparency, and warned that the use of Turkish military support risks propping up what he described as an illegitimate administration nearing the end of its mandate. He further suggested that Türkiye’s long-term engagement could reflect ambitions to establish a form of external control over Somali resources.
Responding to these claims, academic Dr. Hassan Sheikh Ali Nur rejected the characterization, saying the criticism lacked sufficient evidence. While expressing respect for Samatar’s scholarship, he emphasized that opinions should not be treated as facts without clear proof.
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Dr. Hassan stressed that Samatar speaks in a personal capacity and does not represent the Somali public, noting that many Somalis support the partnership with Türkiye, particularly in defense cooperation and resource investment. He described the agreement as a potential turning point for Somalia’s development and called for a balanced and evidence-based assessment.
Former Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Abdirisak Mohamed Omar also entered the debate, offering a more strategic defense of the agreement. Drawing on political realism theory, he argued that state sovereignty depends on two key pillars: the ability to generate revenue from natural resources and the capacity to build a national army.
He said Türkiye has supported Somalia in both areas, contributing to security, infrastructure, and institutional development. The former minister criticized Samatar’s remarks as overly subjective, suggesting they reflect political opposition to the federal government rather than an objective analysis, and emphasized Türkiye’s role as a key partner in Somalia’s state-building efforts.
The exchange highlights broader tensions in Somalia over how to manage natural resources and foreign partnerships, balancing concerns about sovereignty and transparency with the need for investment and security cooperation.