13.06.2026 21:21
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud strongly responded to critics of granting Turkey the rights to the country's offshore hydrocarbon blocks, saying, "Who else do we have besides Turkey? Who else wants and supports us? Tomorrow, if they want, we could give even more." Noting that Western companies withdrew from the fields without making any investments, Mohamud highlighted the strategic importance of cooperation with Turkey.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, regarding the allocation of mineral and hydrocarbon exploration activities in his country to Turkey, said, "Who else do we have but Turkey? Who else wants us, supports us? If they want, we can give even more tomorrow."
"WHO ELSE DO WE HAVE BUT TURKEY?"
In an interview with Somali-based Dawan TV, President Mohamud made important assessments on many topics, including the constitutional process, security, foreign relations, and hydrocarbon exploration.
Emphasizing that offshore hydrocarbon and oil exploration activities carried out off the coast of Somalia are of strategic importance for the country's economic future, Mohamud recalled that some blocks have been allocated in the process conducted with international partners, including Turkey.
Responding to criticisms and questions regarding the allocation of mineral exploration activities to Turkey, President Mohamud said the following:
"Who else do we have but Turkey? Who else wants us, supports us? As Somalia, we opened 12 hydrocarbon blocks to investors. We gave only 3 of them to Turkey, and allocated the other 9 to Western countries. However, a company that took 7 blocks recently came and said it did not have the power to invest and returned the wells to us. We want the world to come to us. Companies that cannot invest are withdrawing from the fields. We can give not just 3 blocks to Turkey, but if they want, even more tomorrow."
"FOREIGN POLICY ON THE BASIS OF MUTUAL BENEFIT"
Stating that foreign policy is based on the principle of mutual interest, Mohamud said that international partnerships are evaluated within this framework. Expressing that relations with the United States are generally at a good level, the Somali President also touched on relations with Israel, saying, "The current approach regarding Israel is based on political and humanitarian grounds. Establishing official diplomatic relations is not on the agenda at this stage."
Emphasizing that the solution to Somalia's chronic problems lies in building a strong state capacity, Mohamud stated that as the state apparatus strengthens, many issues will naturally be resolved.
STRUGGLE AGAINST THE TERRORIST ORGANIZATION AL-SHABAAB CONTINUES
Also touching on internal developments and security operations in the country, President Mohamud stated that the state-building process, the security struggle, and the utilization of economic resources are being carried out simultaneously.
Stating that military operations against the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab continue with determination, Mohamud noted that the Somali security forces, comprising land, air, and naval elements, are being restructured, but this process is still in its initial stages.
Reminding that the international community has supported Somalia for many years, Mohamud added that building lasting state institutions takes time. Also touching on debates regarding the 2012 provisional constitution, the President emphasized that the text is "not unchangeable but a living document that can be updated according to needs," and that the ultimate responsibility lies with the parliament.