Somalia Dismisses Defence Minister Amid US Pressure Over Turkish Relations

Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud dismissed Defence Minister Abuldkadir Mohamed Nur due to US military pressure linked to Nur’s ties with Turkey. His reassignment follows concerns about coordination with American forces in the fight against al-Shabab. Turkish officials insist that relations with Somalia remain strong despite this personnel change.

On Sunday, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud dismissed Defence Minister Abuldkadir Mohamed Nur following lobbying from the United States military. This decision came after concerns arose regarding Nur’s growing ties with Turkey, which reportedly troubled Washington amid ongoing military support efforts against the al-Shabab group. Nur has now been reassigned to the role of minister of ports.

Under Nur’s leadership, Somalia and Turkey initiated a comprehensive naval, trade, and defence agreement in February 2022, which included provisions for securing Somali waters and establishing a navy. The existence of this agreement has drawn scrutiny from US officials, particularly due to its potential implications in the context of Ethiopian military maneuvers.

US military officers exerted pressure on President Mohamud to remove Nur, expressing dissatisfaction with his coordination efforts with American forces, particularly following Turkey’s deployment of drones to fight al-Shabab. Reports indicate the Americans signalled that failure to replace Nur could lead to a reassessment of their security cooperation with Somalia.

In addition, the US embassy in Mogadishu recently issued a security alert regarding potential attacks by al-Shabab, resulting in several flight cancellations. Amidst these developments, US funding to the elite Danab Special Forces has faced reductions, causing the Somali government to seek alternative funding sources.

Turkish officials have attempted to downplay any adverse effects stemming from Nur’s dismissal on relations with Somalia. They emphasized that Turkish-Somali ties are based on institutional agreements made with the Somali government as opposed to individual leaders. Additionally, experts remain optimistic that cooperation will persist, focused on institutional partnerships to enhance security and counterterrorism efforts.

In summary, the recent dismissal of Somalia’s Defence Minister Abuldkadir Mohamed Nur reflects growing US concerns regarding his ties with Turkey and its implications for regional security efforts against al-Shabab. While the US has exerted pressure for his removal, Turkish officials stress continuity in institutional relations with Somalia. The situation underscores the complex interplay of international relations involving military cooperation and geopolitical interests in the Horn of Africa.

Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net