Somaliland, on Wednesday, warned Turkey against potential deployment of Turkish naval forces in Somaliland’s territorial waters.
“The Government of the Republic of Somaliland vehemently rejects any potential deployment of Turkish naval forces within Somaliland’s recognized maritime zones. These zones are delineated clearly under international law and are essential to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Somaliland,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somaliland said in a statement.
On Friday, a resolution was tabled at the Turkish parliament by President Erdogan’s ruling party to authorize the President to deploy Turkish naval forces in the territorial waters of Somalia. In February this year, Somalia and Turkey signed a defense pact. The treat was signed to thwart an MoU signed by Ethiopia and Somaliland in January this year.
According to Turkey Somalia defense treaty, Turkey would train Somalia’s forces and protect territorial waters of Somalia in return for getting a share in Somalia’s under water resources . Turkey is set to start exploration working in Somalia’s territorial waters in September. The likely naval deployment is meant to protect Turkish exploration vessels and protest Somalia’s territorial waters.
Somaliland is internationally recognized part of Somalia. But it has been existing as a separate region lacking international recognition. In January this year, Somaliland signed an MoU with Ethiopia to give landlocked Ethiopia access to sea in return for getting recognition from Ethiopia. Somalia calls this MoU a violation of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Will Turkey deploy its naval forces to Somalia’s territorial waters only or will it extend the deployment to Somaliland’s waters too?
“Any unilateral action by external entities, such as the reported intention of Turkish naval forces to operate in Somaliland maritime zones, constitutes a grave violation of international law and Somaliland’s sovereign rights. Such actions undermine regional stability and contravene the spirit of peaceful coexistence among neighboring states,” Somaliland FM said.
The deployment of Turkish naval forces in Somaliland’s territorial waters could fuel regional tensions, drawing in Ethiopia, Somaliland, Djibouti and Somalia.
The Somaliland government vowed to defend its waters. It said, “The Government of the Republic of Somaliland will continue to protect its territorial integrity and sovereignty against any encroachment, and we stand firm in our commitment to upholding the rule of law in international relations.”
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