Somaliland has accused Turkey of interfering in its internal affairs after the Turkish ambassador to Somalia held talks with Sultan Abubakar Wabar, a traditional leader linked to past unrest in Awdal region.
Somaliland Requires Clarification from the Turkish Ambassador to Somalia
On Monday, Somaliland’s Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Aden summoned Turkey’s consul general in Hargeisa, demanding clarification over what he described as “unacceptable interference.”
The ministry warned that the meeting in Mogadishu represented a direct threat to Somaliland’s security and stability.
“The government of the Republic of Somaliland considers this action to be a clear and unacceptable interference,” the ministry said in a statement.
“We have officially demanded that the Turkish ambassador to Somalia provide an immediate and satisfactory explanation.”
Speculation Around Mogadishu’s Support for Development Projects in Awdal
The dispute intensified after photos emerged of Sultan Wabar meeting with Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi in Mogadishu.
Minister Fiqi also shared a picture on social media, writing:
“The time for Awdal has come.”
This remark fueled speculation that Mogadishu may support development projects in Awdal, a western Somaliland region where some local elites advocate for stronger ties with Somalia’s federal government.
Turkey Stands with Mogadishu Against Somaliland
Authorities in Hargeisa view such gestures as part of broader efforts to undermine Somaliland’s self-declared independence, which Mogadishu does not recognize.
Turkey, a key ally of Somalia, has consistently backed the federal government, though it has also facilitated dialogue between Mogadishu and Hargeisa in the past.
Who is Sultan Wabar?
Sultan Wabar, who once led a small militia that clashed with Somaliland forces in 2015 before surrendering, remains a symbolic figure for opposition groups in Awdal.
Although he fled the country, his name continues to carry political weight in debates over Somaliland’s authority in the region.
