Regional Reality or Political Hypocrisy: Erdoğan’s Double Standard on Somaliland Recognition
Ramadan Mubarak to all Muslims around the world as we begin this blessed month of reflection, justice and truth.
Today, the President of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan visited Addis Ababa and held talks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. During their joint press conference, President Erdoğan condemned the Israeli recognition of Somaliland, arguing that foreign interference in the Horn of Africa would worsen political tensions. His remarks demand serious scrutiny.
There is a striking contradiction in Turkey’s position. For years, Turkey has maintained its largest overseas military base in Mogadishu. It trains and equips Somali forces and plays a central role in Somalia’s security and political landscape. This is not a marginal presence. It is deep strategic involvement in the affairs of the Horn of Africa.
For Ankara to warn others about foreign interference while maintaining such a footprint in Somalia raises obvious questions. When Turkey expands its military and political influence, it is described as cooperation and partnership. When another country considers recognising Somaliland, it is labelled destabilising interference. This inconsistency undermines the credibility of Turkey’s argument.
Recognition of a state is a sovereign decision. It is a fundamental aspect of international relations. No country has the authority to dictate to another whom it may or may not recognise. If Ethiopia chooses to recognise Somaliland, that decision would fall within its sovereign rights. Turkey itself recognises states based on its own national interests and strategic calculations. It cannot deny Ethiopia the same right without applying a double standard.
Somaliland has maintained relative stability for more than three decades. It has held elections, built functioning institutions and maintained control over its territory. Its political trajectory since 1991 has been markedly different from the so called Somalia. Whether one agrees with recognition or not, it is undeniable that Somaliland has operated as a self governing political entity for over thirty years. Recognition would not create a new reality. It would acknowledge an existing one.
Turkey’s position also overlooks Ethiopia’s strategic considerations. Ethiopia is a large and influential state in the region with its own security and economic priorities. Decisions about diplomatic recognition are shaped by national interests, regional stability and long term strategic planning. They are not subject to approval from Ankara or any other capital.
If Turkey truly believes in respect for sovereignty and non interference, then it must apply that principle consistently. Sovereignty cannot be defended in one context and dismissed in another. A credible foreign policy requires coherence between words and actions.
To President Erdogan, as Ramadan begins, a time traditionally associated with reflection and accountability, political leaders would do well to consider the importance of consistency and fairness in their public positions. The Horn of Africa deserves stability, mutual respect and honest diplomacy, not selective arguments that shift depending on strategic convenience.
Recognition is not an act of aggression. It is a sovereign political choice. And sovereign choices belong to sovereign nations.
Author:
Mohammed Abdi Hassan
Founder, Somaliland Institute of Security and International Contact (HALBEEG)
