Hargeisa, Republic of Somaliland | February 18, 2026 (Horn Post) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation of the Republic of Somaliland has issued a strong statement condemning recent remarks made by the President of Türkiye, describing them as an unacceptable interference in Somaliland’s foreign relations.
In an immediate press release issued on Tuesday, the Government of the Republic of Somaliland said the comments were aimed at discouraging Somaliland’s engagement with regional partners in the Horn of Africa.
“The Republic of Somaliland condemns the recent remarks by the President of the Republic of Türkiye as unacceptable interference,” the statement said, adding that such positions risk undermining stability and cooperation in the region.
The Ministry stressed that foreign policy decisions of states in the Horn of Africa must be determined by the governments and peoples of the region themselves, warning against the extension of external rivalries into an already sensitive geopolitical environment.
Somaliland further called on Ankara to refrain from actions or statements that could inflame regional tensions, urging adherence to the principles of mutual respect, non-interference, and sovereign decision-making.
According to the statement, Somaliland’s engagement with regional and international partners — including its long-standing pursuit of international recognition — remains peaceful, lawful, and firmly rooted in the democratic aspirations of its people.
The press release follows recent public remarks by Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, which Somaliland authorities say touch directly on the territory’s external relations and diplomatic trajectory.
Somaliland has repeatedly emphasized that its foreign policy approach is based on cooperation, regional stability, and respect for international norms.
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Prepared by Horn Post staff reporter
Hargeisa Somaliland
