Somalia’s President dismissed Defence Minister Abuldkadir Mohamed Nur under U.S. pressure due to his strong ties with Turkey, which unsettled Washington. Nur was reassigned to Minister of Ports as U.S. military support for Somalia slowed amid concerns over cooperation issues and Turkey’s growing influence, including recent drone deployments and oil exploration agreements.
On Sunday, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud dismissed Defence Minister Abuldkadir Mohamed Nur, following lobbying efforts from the U.S. military. Nur has been reassigned to the position of Minister of Ports amid concerns regarding the slowdown of U.S. military support for Somalia’s ongoing fight against the terrorist group al-Shabab. Sources indicate that U.S. officials were troubled by Nur’s expanding military ties with Turkey, which differs from the U.S.’s closer relationship with the United Arab Emirates in the region.
Under Nur’s leadership, Somalia and Turkey established a broad naval, trade, and defense agreement in February 2022, which grants Turkey significant responsibilities. This includes the safeguarding of Somali waters, the establishment of a Somali navy, and aiding in energy resource exploration to counter Ethiopia’s naval agreements with the breakaway region of Somaliland. Nur’s strong connections to Turkey, where he studied and is fluent in Turkish, have further strained U.S.-Somalia relations.
U.S. military officials reportedly pressured President Mohamud to dismiss Nur, citing coordination issues with American forces. Discussions regarding access to the Turkey-Somalia agreement occurred frequently, indicating growing U.S. dissatisfaction with Turkey’s actions in Somalia. Notably, Turkey’s plans to build a spaceport and recent oil exploration agreements alarmed U.S. officials, further complicating the situation.
The situation escalated when Turkey deployed two armed drones to combat al-Shabab, which proved to be the tipping point. U.S. officials made it clear that Nur’s removal was a prerequisite for maintaining security cooperation against al-Shabab. In light of this, the U.S. embassy issued a security warning about potential al-Shabab attacks in Mogadishu, leading to flight cancellations from Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines.
Further strain on U.S.-Somali relations was evident when President Trump authorized airstrikes against the Islamic State in Somalia earlier this year, and when funding for Somalia’s elite Danab Special Forces was cut, prompting the Somali government to seek alternative funding sources. Former Danab commander Ahmed Abdullahi Sheikh endorsed the leadership change, viewing it as a positive development.
A Turkish official downplayed the significance of Nur’s dismissal, asserting that Turkey’s relationship with Somalia is firmly rooted in institutional cooperation rather than per personal ties. They expressed confidence that existing agreements will continue to bind the two nations despite leadership changes. Expert Tunc Demirtas echoed this sentiment, predicting that future relations would prioritize institutional structures to maintain strategic cooperation aligned with shared interests.
In conclusion, the dismissal of Somalia’s Defence Minister Abuldkadir Mohamed Nur reflects the pressing influence of U.S. concerns regarding Turkey’s growing presence and activities in Somalia. The reassignment underscores the delicate balance within Somalia’s foreign relations and highlights the importance of strategic partnerships in addressing regional security challenges. Both Turkish and Somali officials maintain that their institutional ties will persist, regardless of individual actors in government.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
