MOGADISHU — The President of Somalia’s Puntland State, Said Abdullahi Deni, held a high-level meeting in the capital with the Turkish Ambassador to Somalia, Alper Aktaş, to discuss the nation’s fragile security situation and ongoing political transitions.
The strategic diplomatic gathering, which was also attended by members of the Puntland Cabinet and senior presidential advisors, addressed the general situation across Somalia. Discussions primarily focused on strengthening bilateral security cooperation, ensuring political stability, and tackling the severe humanitarian challenges currently facing the region.
Navigating the Political Deadlock
According to an official statement from the Puntland presidency, the discussions heavily stressed the absolute importance of bilateral coordination as Somalia navigates a highly complex and contentious electoral period.
The meeting occurs 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. President Deni has been in Mogadishu as a key figure in the “Somali Future Council” opposition alliance, which is currently locked in high-stakes negotiations with Villa Somalia over the framework for the upcoming national elections.
Turkey’s Enduring Security Role
Beyond the political impasse, the leaders discussed the persistent security threats posed by Al-Shabaab and ISIS militants, particularly in the mountainous and coastal regions of Puntland.
Turkey continues to serve as a cornerstone security and development partner for Somalia. In addition to spearheading major humanitarian and infrastructure projects, Ankara maintains its largest overseas military training base in Mogadishu and has recently expanded its defense cooperation to bolster the operational readiness of the Somali national security forces.
