The Geopolitical Scramble for the Horn: 'Interference' is a Feature, Not a Bug
THE CLAIM: Sovereignty and Stability at Risk President Mohamud's statements, as reported by Al Jazeera, frame the alleged Israeli overtures to Somaliland as 'interference' and a threat to regional stability. The immediate response is couched in terms of defending Somalia's territorial integrity and warning against actions that could 'escalate tensions'. This is the standard diplomatic language
employed when a sovereign state perceives a challenge to its internationally recognized borders. THE EVIDENCE: A History of Strategic Exploitation Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, an act unrecognized by the international community, yet it functions as a de facto independent state with its own government and security forces. This creates a vacuum, or more accurately, an
opportunity. The UAE Precedent: In 2017, the UAE signed a 30-year concession to develop and operate the port of Berbera in Somaliland, a deal vehemently condemned by the Somali federal government as a violation of its sovereignty (BBC, 2017). This move included plans for a military base, demonstrating a clear appetite for strategic infrastructure projects in the unrecognised territory. Turkey's
Footprint: Turkey, another significant player, has invested heavily in Mogadishu and maintains its largest overseas military training facility there, solidifying its influence with the internationally recognized Somali government (TRT World, 2017). This indicates a bilateral approach, where different external powers back different internal factions. Historical Echoes: This isn't unique to the Horn