Turkey hosted the first round of mediation talks between representatives of the federal government and the opposition to resolve the political crisis in Somalia.
The two-day talks in Mogadishu took place in a "friendly atmosphere," according to an official statement published by Somali state television. The statement said the parties agreed to continue an "inclusive dialogue process."
Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MİT) managed to bring the parties to the table through months of behind-the-scenes diplomacy. According to a report by TRT, diplomats from some Western countries also attended the talks as observers.
The constitutional reform crisis in Somalia had thrown the presidential elections into uncertainty after the parliament's term expired in April. The opposition argues that the reforms could extend President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's term by one year and postpone elections to 2027.
The autonomous regions of Puntland and Jubaland opposed the constitutional changes and did not join the Turkey-mediated talks. According to Garowe Online, these administrations question Ankara's impartiality.
Turkey's military presence in Somalia and its support for the federal government have been criticized by the opposition and regional authorities. Some lawmakers have claimed that Turkish-made weapons were used in clashes between federal and local forces.
Meanwhile, Turkey is stepping up stabilization efforts to protect its strategic interests in Somalia. Turkish F-16 fighter jets deployed to Somalia last month carried out airstrikes against Al-Shabaab militants in the south of the country.
Somalia is a key country in Turkey's Africa outreach. Ankara maintains one of its largest overseas military bases there. Amid growing geopolitical competition in the region, Israel's recognition of Somaliland as an independent state last December drew attention. Turkey called the move illegitimate and unacceptable, and declared Somalia's territorial integrity a national security priority.
