National Security Advisor Meets Turkish Envoy as Ankara’s Mediation Role Faces Regional Pushback

MOGADISHU – The National Security Advisor of the Federal Government of Somalia, Ambassador Aweys Haji Yusuf, has received the Turkish Ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktaş, at the National Security Office for talks focused on deepening strategic cooperation in security and counter-terrorism, as Ankara continues to navigate a complex mediation role in the country’s political crisis.

The meeting, which took place on July 13, 2026, centred on strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries, with particular emphasis on enhancing collaboration in security and the fight against terrorism. The Federal Government of Somalia reaffirmed the importance it attaches to deepening ties with Turkey to support efforts to achieve security, stability and development.

Turkey has been actively seeking to play a leading role in mediating between the Federal Government and opposition groups, with Ankara’s intelligence agency reportedly taking the lead in efforts to broker a political agreement. However, this move has been explicitly rejected by the Jubaland and Puntland regional states, which have questioned Ankara’s neutrality in the conflict.

Turkey’s Mediation Efforts: A Balancing Act

Turkey’s diplomatic engagement in Somalia has intensified in recent months, with Turkish officials conducting separate meetings with federal government officials and opposition leaders following clashes in the capital. The delegation, reported to consist of diplomats and security officials, forms part of Ankara’s initiatives to foster dialogue between parties embroiled in disagreements about electoral arrangements, constitutional reforms, and the nation’s political trajectory.

Opposition leaders have been careful not to alienate Turkey, which remains one of Somalia’s most influential international partners, but have reportedly asked Ankara to remain neutral and stay on an apolitical track. This cautious approach reflects the recognition within opposition circles that Turkey has invested heavily in Somalia’s infrastructure, humanitarian aid, state-building programs, and security sector training over the past decade.

Disputes over which political actors should be officially recognised as part of the opposition have complicated preparations for the next round of talks, with Turkish mediators suggesting giving seats on technical committees to figures aligned with former president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, a proposal rejected by the opposition’s Future Council. The disagreement has led Turkish mediators to consider returning to Ankara.

Turkey’s Military and Security Footprint

Beyond its mediation role, Turkey continues to serve as a cornerstone security and development partner for Somalia. Ankara maintains its largest overseas military training base in Mogadishu and has recently expanded its defence cooperation to bolster the operational readiness of Somali security forces.

President Deni has held high-level meetings with Ambassador Aktaş to discuss the nation’s fragile security situation and ongoing political transitions, with discussions focusing on strengthening bilateral security cooperation and ensuring political stability. Turkey’s enduring relationships with both the federal government and multiple political actors may position it uniquely to facilitate dialogue as Somalia confronts one of its most substantial political challenges since the electoral crisis of 2021.

International Pressure on Turkish-Led Initiative

International partners under the C6+ framework have reportedly intensified pressure on the Turkish-led initiative, warning that mediation by a single actor would be unacceptable. Western diplomats have opposed what they see as an exclusively Turkish mediation effort, arguing that international partners have long been involved in supporting Somali political dialogue and that Ankara should play a supporting role rather than lead the process.

The Federal Government of Somalia has previously called for the dissolution of the C6+ group, arguing that its continued existence gives a “misleading impression” that Somalia remains under externally driven political oversight. The Somali government has stressed that the country has made significant progress in rebuilding its institutions and now seeks to define its partnerships on the basis of equal bilateral cooperation.

A Critical Juncture

The meeting between National Security Advisor Aweys Haji Yusuf and Ambassador Alper Aktaş comes at a critical juncture, as regional leaders and international partners actively intensify consultations to address the severe political deadlock between the Federal Government and member states. Turkey’s expanding influence in Somalia, where it has emerged as one of the nation’s most significant international partners during the past decade, is being tested as it navigates competing pressures from the federal government, opposition groups, and international partners.

The outcome of the ongoing political dialogue and Turkey’s role in facilitating it will have significant implications for Somalia’s political stability and the future of its partnership with Ankara.