Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has strongly criticized Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, asserting the move will not benefit the region and urging regional powers to resolve their own issues. The statement, made during a joint press conference with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, reflects growing international concern over the potential destabilization of the Horn of Africa.
“I would like to reiterate that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland would benefit neither Somaliland nor the Horn of Africa,” Erdogan said. The development underscores increasing diplomatic friction between Türkiye and Israel, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Erdogan emphasized the importance of regional solutions to regional problems, warning against allowing the Horn of Africa to grow “an arena of struggle for foreign powers.” His comments came as Ethiopia seeks Türkiye’s support in gaining access to the sea, a central topic of discussion during the meeting with President Erdogan.
Israel became the first UN member state to formally recognize Somaliland in December 2025, framing the decision as aligned with the Abraham Accords. This move has been widely condemned by Somalia, the African Union, and several other nations, including Türkiye, Egypt, and Djibouti. Somalia has characterized the recognition as an attack on its territorial integrity.
The African Union has too firmly rejected any actions that could compromise Somalia’s territorial unity, according to reports from the Qatar News Agency.
Algeria has also denounced interference in both Sudan and Somalia, with officials affirming their opposition to external meddling in the region, as reported by Le Courrier d’Algérie.
Meanwhile, discussions regarding Somaliland’s status at the African Union have been paused, highlighting the imperative for a political resolution, according to ISS Africa. The situation remains fluid, with potential implications for regional stability and international relations.
In a related development, Türkiye and Ethiopia are strengthening their energy cooperation following promising results from joint offshore exploration efforts. Erdogan noted that over 200 Turkish companies have invested $2.5 billion in Ethiopia, supporting approximately 20,000 jobs.
