Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud dismissed Defence Minister Abuldkadir Mohamed Nur following U.S. military lobbying due to Nur’s strong ties with Turkey. The U.S. expressed concerns over declining military cooperation amid fears associated with Nur’s initiatives with Turkey. Following his reassignment, it remains to be seen how Turkey-Somalia relations will evolve, although officials assert institutional ties will remain strong.
On Sunday, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud dismissed Defence Minister Abuldkadir Mohamed Nur, following persistent lobbying from the United States military. Nur has been reassigned to the position of Minister of Ports amidst concerns that U.S. military support for Somalia’s fight against the militant group al-Shabab had diminished.
Sources indicated that Nur’s pursuit of closer military, energy, and aerospace partnerships with Turkey raised alarms in Washington, which has favored ties with the United Arab Emirates in the region. Under Nur’s leadership, Somalia and Turkey established a significant naval, trade, and defense agreement in February of the previous year, empowering Turkey to safeguard Somali waters and assist in building a Somali navy.
A Somali official reported that U.S. military personnel consistently urged President Mohamud to dismiss Nur due to the latter’s perceived lack of alignment with American forces. Additionally, they sought access to the details of the agreement with Turkey, intensifying lobbying throughout the year.
Concerns regarding Turkey’s plans for a spaceport in Somalia, as well as recent oil and gas exploration agreements, further complicated relations. The deployment of Turkish drones to combat al-Shabab was reportedly the final catalyst for U.S. pressure to remove Nur, with a U.S. official clarifying that failure to act on Nur would force a reevaluation of security cooperation against al-Shabab.
Following a security warning issued by the U.S. embassy in Mogadishu about a potential al-Shabab attack, actions such as flight cancellations occurred, indicating the tense security situation. Furthermore, U.S. military operations have included airstrikes targeting the Islamic State and funding cuts to elite units like Danab.
Ahmed Abdullahi Sheikh, a former commander of Danab, praised Mohamud’s decision to remove Nur, marking an end to a contentious period. Nevertheless, a Turkish official insisted that this change would not impact Turkey’s relationship with Somalia, which is built on institutional rather than personal ties, underscoring the importance of continued cooperation and investment in Somalia’s development and security.
Tunc Demirtas from the think tank SETA expressed confidence in the enduring support Turkey would provide Somalia’s efforts against terrorism, suggesting that future collaboration will center on strengthening institutional frameworks to align with shared strategic interests.
In light of U.S. pressure, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia dismissed Defence Minister Abuldkadir Mohamed Nur amid concerns about his relations with Turkey. The transition reflects a broader context of shifting alliances and military dynamics in the Horn of Africa. Despite this leadership change, Turkey remains committed to supporting Somalia through institutional partnerships, ensuring continued cooperation against terrorism and investment in infrastructure.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
