What really happened in London 2012 and how Somaliland recognition Was stopped
Davutoğlu said he moved quickly to shut down the momentum.
Mogadishu (Somali Report) - Fresh revelations by former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu have reignited debate over the 2012 London Conference, where the possible international recognition of Somaliland was openly discussed before being derailed through behind-the-scenes diplomacy.
In a recent interview, Davutoğlu disclosed that then British Foreign Secretary William Hague privately acknowledged Somaliland’s case for statehood.
“Somaliland deserves to be a state; it has a military force, a parliament, and no terrorism,” Davutoğlu quoted Hague as saying during the conference, which brought together African, European, and international stakeholders to discuss Somalia’s future.
Davutoğlu said he moved quickly to shut down the momentum.
He raised the unresolved issue of Northern Cyprus, telling the British side that recognition of Somaliland would set a precedent.
“Then you should also recognize the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; all of that exists there as well,” he said, admitting that he used the Cyprus issue to block European and African support for Somaliland’s recognition.
More controversially, Davutoğlu described pulling Somaliland’s president aside for a private conversation framed around shared religious identity.
“We are Muslims; let’s meet alone,” he recalled saying—remarks that critics say reveal how religious sentiment was leveraged to influence political outcomes.
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Davutoğlu went further, boasting that Turkey’s actions ultimately allowed Ankara to gain decisive influence in Somalia.
He linked the diplomatic outcome to Turkey’s later dominance in key sectors, including the establishment of its largest overseas military base, as well as strategic involvement in Somalia’s port, airport, and broader economic infrastructure.
While Turkey insists its role is stabilizing rather than expansionist, the former prime minister’s comments have fueled accusations of double standards.
Turkey remains the only country to recognize Northern Cyprus, while actively opposing Somaliland’s recognition—an approach critics say reflects principles applied selectively to serve Ankara’s interests.
Davutoğlu, however, defended Turkey’s position, arguing that its engagement was aimed at preserving Somalia’s unity. Recounting his exchange with Hague, he said he warned that recognition efforts would divide Somalia.
“We are bringing stability to Somalia. You are trying to divide it,” he said, adding that if London was serious about recognition, it should first recognize Northern Cyprus.
He also pointed to later Turkey-hosted talks in Ankara between Somali and Somaliland leaders as evidence of Turkey’s commitment to unity.
For critics in the Horn of Africa, these revelations paint a stark picture: a moment when Somaliland’s recognition was “on the table” was lost, while Somalia became a strategic outpost for Turkey’s growing influence—raising questions about sovereignty, regional politics, and the true cost of foreign intervention.
About the Author
Osman Hassan is a Senior Editor at the Somali Report based in Nairobi with over 15 years of experience in journalism. He has worked with local and international media outlets in Somalia and is an award-winning journalist. His reporting focuses on politics, security, and regional affairs in the Horn of Africa.