Somalia’s parliamentary speaker Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jamaa has condemned the burning of the Turkish flag during protests in Jubaland, warning that the incident could damage relations between Mogadishu and Ankara.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) — Somalia's parliamentary speaker has strongly condemned the burning of the Turkish flag during recent protests in Jubaland state, warning that such incidents could damage relations between Mogadishu and Ankara.
Speaker of the House of the People Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur Jamaa said the burning of the flag on Somali territory was regrettable and suggested that foreign actors could be seeking to exploit tensions between the two countries.
"It is regrettable that the Turkish flag is being burned on Somali soil at this time," Jamaa said, urging Somalis to remain vigilant against what he described as political agendas originating from outside the country.
The remarks came after angry demonstrators in parts of Jubaland set fire to Turkish flags during protests directed at Ankara.
The Turkish-educated house speaker has called on the public to reject actions that could undermine what he described as the strong relationship between Somalia and Turkey.
"I urge the Somali people to be vigilant against actions aimed at damaging the good relationship between Somalia and Turkey," he said.
The speaker also appealed to Somali journalists to exercise caution when reporting on issues that could inflame tensions between Ankara and Mogadishu.
"We ask the media to pay particular attention to the relationship between the two countries and fulfil their national responsibility towards the country," he said.
The protests come amid heightened tensions in parts of southern Somalia, where Turkey's growing military and political role has become a subject of public debate.
Ankara has emerged as one of Mogadishu's most important international partners, providing military training, security assistance and development support. Turkey has also played a prominent role in rebuilding Somalia's armed forces and maintaining close ties with the federal government.
But the relationship has faced growing criticism in parts of Somalia following allegations surrounding Turkish military involvement in operations linked to fighting in and around Baidoa, the capital of South West state.
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The allegations have not been independently established, while Somali federal authorities and Turkish officials have rejected or disputed some claims concerning Turkish involvement in specific incidents.
The controversy has unfolded against the backdrop of a political and security dispute between Somalia's federal government and forces aligned with former South West president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.
Baidoa has experienced repeated violence in recent months, with the federal government and Laftagareen's supporters trading accusations over responsibility for attacks and instability.
The dispute has increasingly drawn Turkey into Somalia's domestic political debate because of Ankara's close security relationship with the federal government.
Jubaland, meanwhile, has maintained tense relations with Mogadishu over political and security issues, adding another layer to public anger surrounding Turkey's perceived role.
The burning of Turkish flags represents a symbolic escalation in that debate, turning criticism of Ankara's policies into a public expression of hostility towards the country itself.
Jamaa's intervention appears aimed at preventing the dispute from spilling further into Somalia's diplomatic relationship with Turkey.
Turkey has been a major supporter of Somalia during humanitarian crises, including droughts, and has invested heavily in infrastructure, healthcare, education and security.
The two countries have also strengthened military cooperation in recent years, with Turkish facilities in Mogadishu providing training for Somali forces.
As political tensions deepen between the federal government and some regional authorities, however, Turkey's close alignment with Mogadishu risks making Ankara a target of opposition criticism.
The latest protests have therefore highlighted the increasingly sensitive position of Turkey in Somalia, where its role as a major security partner is being weighed against growing political disagreements over the federal government's policies.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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