Turjumaad ayaa la diyaarinayaa

Mogadishu — Somali opposition politicians have criticised Türkiye following a statement from the Turkish Embassy reaffirming support for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, arguing that the move risks deepening political tensions during a fragile period in Somalia’s political transition.

Among the most outspoken critics was Somali MP Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, who accused Ankara of undermining neutrality at a time of growing uncertainty over Somalia’s electoral process and constitutional order.

In a statement posted on X, the opposition lawmaker said the Turkish Embassy’s message “sends a deeply troubling political signal” by publicly aligning itself with the Somali president immediately after what he described as the expiration of the government’s constitutional mandate.

“The Turkish government’s decision to publicly reaffirm support for Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at a moment when Somalia faces a contested political transition and no agreed electoral framework sends a deeply troubling political signal,” the MP said.