Somalia gave its coastline away, here's why it matters

Summary

The video script discusses a strategic security pact between Somalia and Turkey, where Turkey will train and equip the Somali navy for the next decade. This alliance is driven by Somalia's security needs and Turkey's ambition to expand maritime power. The pact also includes oil and gas exploration rights for Turkey in Somali waters. The deals are set against a backdrop of Turkey's significant investment in Somalia's infrastructure and military training, contributing to the country's stability. The script further explores the geopolitical implications of the pact, including Turkey's rivalry with the UAE in the Horn of Africa and the broader strategic interests at play.

Takeaways

• 🤝 Somalia and Turkey signed a new security pact that involves the Turkish navy training and equipping the Somali navy for the next 10 years.
• 🌐 The security pact is as much about Somalia's security as it is about Turkey's ambition to project maritime power beyond its shores.
• 📝 Details of the agreement are not entirely public, but it includes Turkey's involvement in oil and gas exploration in Somali waters, effectively leasing Somalia's territorial waters and marine resources to Turkey.
• 🇹🇷 Turkey has been active in Somalia, providing economic and diplomatic support, and running successful training and equipping programs for Somali officers.
• 💼 The bilateral ties between Turkey and Somalia are entering a new strategic phase through these deals, potentially benefiting Turkey's defense industry and other business interests.
• 💰 Turkey has provided over $1 billion in aid for healthcare, education, public services, and infrastructure in Somalia, significantly improving the country's economic situation.
• 🌐 The security pact and energy deal with Somalia are part of Turkey's broader strategy to secure supply chains and create strategic depth in the maritime domain.
• 💳 The security pact includes terms that split the revenue from activities in Somalia's exclusive economic zone, with Turkey receiving a 30% share for bolstering Somalia's maritime security capabilities.
• 🏖️ Somalia's extensive coastline and exclusive economic zone harbor significant marine life and potential hydrocarbon resources, making stronger maritime security institutions crucial for the country.
• 🔍 The security pact and energy deal between Turkey and Somalia come amidst regional power dynamics involving Ethiopia, Somaliland, and the United Arab Emirates, with implications for regional stability and economic interests.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the security pact between Somalia and Turkey?

The security pact is aimed at training and equipping the Somali navy by the Turkish navy over the next 10 years, enhancing Mogadishu's sense of security and Ankara's ambition to project maritime power beyond its shores.

What additional deal was signed between Turkey and Somalia after the security pact?

A second deal was signed that allows Turkey to conduct oil and gas exploration in Somali waters, effectively leasing all of Somalia's territorial waters and marine resources to Turkey.

How has Turkey been involved in Somalia's development over the years?

Turkey has been active in Somalia since 2011, providing uninterrupted humanitarian aid, engaging in development and relief projects, and promoting campaigns to raise funds for Somalia. They have also provided more than $1 billion in aid for programs in healthcare, education, public services, and infrastructure.

What is the strategic significance of Turkey's involvement in Somalia's naval force?

Turkey's involvement in Somalia's naval force is strategically significant as it allows Turkey to expand its naval presence in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, secure supply chains, and create strategic depth in the maritime domain.

How has the security pact benefited Turkey's defense industry?

The security pact brings new contracts for Turkey's defense industry and presumably other Turkish business interests, as the Turkish defense sector is booming and Ankara sees itself as an exporter of military hardware and a partner in training special forces and law enforcement.

What is the potential economic benefit for Somalia from the security pact and the energy deal with Turkey?

The security pact and energy deal could potentially compensate Turkish naval activity through revenue generated from marine activities, allowing Somalia to gather at least 70% of the sum that would otherwise be lost due to illegal fishing and piracy, estimated at least $300 million annually.

What is the significance of the Ethiopian-Somaliland deal for Turkey's interests in the region?

The Ethiopian-Somaliland deal, which gives Ethiopia a 50-year lease on a strip of land on Somaliland's coast, could have repercussions that harm Turkish-Ethiopian relations in the future, as it involves sovereignty issues and could impact the region's stability.

How does the security pact and energy deal between Turkey and Somalia affect the regional power dynamics?

The pact and deal create a mutually beneficial relationship between Turkey and Somalia, serving as a check against foreign encroachment and enhancing Somalia's sovereignty. However, it also intensifies the rivalry between Turkey and the United Arab Emirates in the Horn of Africa.

What is the potential impact of the security pact on Somalia's maritime security capabilities?

The security pact is expected to bolster Somalia's maritime security capabilities through training, joint operations, information sharing, and naval acquisitions, which are paramount for a country with an extensive coastline and vast exclusive economic zone.

How does the security pact and the energy deal align with Turkey's broader strategy in Africa?

The security pact and energy deal align with Turkey's broader strategy to secure a foothold in Africa, expand its defense clientele, and seize a sizable market share in the African security business and services market with its relatively affordable weapons and arms.

What are the potential geopolitical implications of the security pact and energy deal for the Red Sea region?

The security pact and energy deal could lead to a realignment of power dynamics in the Red Sea region, with Turkey and Somalia forming one faction and Ethiopia, the UAE, and Somaliland forming another, creating intense competition and potential for conflict over strategic interests.

Outlines

00:00

🤝 Turkey and Somalia's Strategic Security Pact

The first paragraph discusses a new security pact between Somalia and Turkey, which involves the Turkish navy training and equipping the Somali navy for the next ten years. The agreement is not only about enhancing Somalia's security but also about Turkey's ambition to extend its maritime power. Although the full details are not public, it is known that the pact includes Turkish oil and gas exploration in Somali waters, effectively leasing Somalia's territorial waters and marine resources to Turkey. The relationship between the two countries is long-standing, with Turkey having been active in Somalia during times when other countries were not. Turkey's involvement in Somalia includes economic and diplomatic ties, successful training and equipping programs, and significant aid contributions. The pact is expected to bring new contracts for Turkey's defense industry and solidify its military presence in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.

05:02

🚢 Expanding Turkey's Naval Presence and Economic Interests

The second paragraph delves into the strategic implications of the security pact and a subsequent energy deal between Turkey and Somalia. The agreement to train and equip Somalia's naval force and help patrol its coastline is mutually beneficial, allowing Turkey to expand its naval presence in the Red Sea and grow its defense clientele. The Turkish defense sector is booming, and the security pact will likely lead to Somalia procuring Turkish naval platforms. Additionally, Africa is a significant market for security businesses, and Turkish weapons and arms are competitively priced. The security pact also includes a revenue-sharing agreement for activities in Somalia's exclusive economic zone, with Turkey receiving a 30% share of marine revenues. This is particularly important as Somalia's coastline is extensive, and its exclusive economic zone is rich in marine life and potential hydrocarbon resources. The energy deal could be transformative for Somalia, with seismic studies indicating significant oil and natural gas reserves. Turkish companies are expected to join American companies in the oil rush along the Somali coast, with the security pact and energy deal providing Turkey with an advantage in terms of reduced costs for natural resource extraction.

10:03

🌐 Geopolitical Tensions and Regional Power Dynamics

The third paragraph explores the geopolitical context of the security pact and energy deal, highlighting the potential impact on regional power dynamics. The agreement comes amidst a memorandum of understanding between Ethiopia and Somali land, which has raised concerns about sovereignty and regional stability. The Ethiopian deal could potentially lead to recognition of the independence of the separatist Somali land, which could have broader implications for the region. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is another key player in the Horn of Africa, with assets in Eritrea, Yemen, and Somalia. The UAE and Turkey have been engaged in a rivalry, with the UAE supporting the Ethiopia-Somaliland deal and having its own agreement with Somali land for a share of the Berbera port. The UAE's investments in both Ethiopia and Somali land have grown, and power dynamics in the region are shifting. The Somali-Turkish deal serves as a counterbalance to what Turkey perceives as foreign encroachment and helps preserve Somalia's sovereignty. The complex web of cross-border investments and alliances makes it challenging to clearly define friend or foe in the region.

15:17

🎙️ Conclusion and Call for Accountability

The final paragraph serves as a conclusion to the video script, with the host, Chiron from Caspian Report, inviting viewers to engage with the content by leaving comments, liking the video, and sharing it. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of accountability and encourages viewers to participate in the discussion around the topics covered in the video.

Keywords

💡Security Pact

A security pact refers to an agreement between two or more parties to collaborate on security matters. In the context of the video, it is the agreement signed between Somalia and Turkey, where Turkey is commissioned to train and equip the Somali navy for the next 10 years. This pact is central to the video's theme of international relations and military cooperation.

💡Maritime Power

Maritime power is the ability of a nation to exert influence or control over maritime areas. The video discusses Turkey's ambition to project its maritime power beyond its shores, which is exemplified by the security pact with Somalia and its involvement in naval training and equipment provision.

💡Territorial Waters

Territorial waters are the area of the sea extending from a nation's coastline within which it has sovereignty. The script mentions that Somalia has leased its territorial waters and marine resources to Turkey, indicating a significant aspect of the security pact and Turkey's strategic interests in the region.

💡Defense Industry

The defense industry encompasses the businesses that manufacture and supply products and services to a nation's military. The video highlights that the security pact will bring new contracts for Turkey's defense industry, showing the economic benefits for Turkey in its military cooperation with Somalia.

💡Strategic Phase

A strategic phase refers to a significant period or step in a long-term plan or policy. The video describes the bilateral ties between Turkey and Somalia entering a new strategic phase through the security pact and subsequent deals, indicating a deepening of their relationship and collaboration.

💡Failed State

A failed state is a country that has lost its ability to perform basic functions of governance and control its territory. The script describes Somalia as a failed state, providing context for why international aid and strategic partnerships, like the one with Turkey, are crucial for its recovery and development.

💡Infrastructure Aid

Infrastructure aid involves providing financial or material support for the development of a country's basic physical and organizational structures. The video mentions Turkey's economic and infrastructure aid to Somalia, which has contributed to improvements in healthcare, education, and public services.

💡Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

An exclusive economic zone is a sea zone prescribed by international law, in which a state has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources. The script discusses the revenue-sharing terms of the security pact, where Turkey gets a 30% share of marine revenues from activities in Somalia's EEZ.

💡Energy Deal

An energy deal involves agreements or contracts related to the exploration, production, or distribution of energy resources. The video describes a second deal between Turkey and Somalia focusing on oil and gas exploration, which could potentially transform Somalia's economy.

💡Geopolitics

Geopolitics is the study of the effects of geography on international politics and international relations. The script touches on the geopolitical rivalry between Turkey and the United Arab Emirates in the Horn of Africa, illustrating the complex dynamics at play in the region.

💡Sovereignty

Sovereignty is the full right and power of a governing body to govern itself without any interference from outside sources. The video discusses how the security pact serves to preserve Somalia's sovereignty against foreign encroachment, highlighting the importance of national autonomy in international agreements.

Highlights

Somalia and Turkey have signed a 10-year security pact for naval training and equipment.

The pact serves both Somalia's security and Turkey's ambition to project maritime power.

Turkey and Somalia signed a second deal for oil and gas exploration in Somali waters.

Turkey has been active in Somalia during times of international abandonment, with deep economic and diplomatic ties.

Turkey runs successful training programs in Somalia, graduating hundreds of Somali officers annually.

The security pact and defense industry contracts will cement Turkey's military presence in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.

Somalia has leased its territorial waters and marine resources to Turkey, with undisclosed agreement details.

Turkey's involvement in Somalia has provided over $1 billion in aid for healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Turkey reopened Mogadishu's sea port and airport, managed by Turkish companies, improving Somalia's economy.

The Somali National Army has been trained and equipped by Turkey, with 5,000 Commandos and 10,000 regular troops.

The security pact includes revenue-sharing terms, with Turkey receiving 30% of marine activities' profits.

Somalia's coastline is the longest in Africa, with a vast exclusive economic zone and potential hydrocarbon resources.

The security pact and energy deal position Turkey to extract resources at a reduced cost in Somalia.

Illegal fishing and piracy cost Somalia $300 million annually, which Turkey's involvement aims to mitigate.

Somalia's submarine cables connect the Persian Gulf with East Africa, offering strategic bargaining power.

Ethiopia's recent deal with Somaliland for port access could impact Turkey-Ethiopia relations.

The UAE and Turkey are engaged in a rivalry over influence in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea area.

The security pact serves to preserve Somalia's sovereignty against foreign encroachment.

Cross-border investments make it difficult to distinguish friend from foe in the geopolitical landscape of Somalia.

Transcripts

[Music]

Somalia and turkey have signed a new

security pact that commissions the

Turkish navy to train and equip its

Somali counterpart over the next 10

years The Pact is as much about

mogadishu's sense of security as it is

about ankara's ambition to project

Maritime power beyond its Shores the

details of the agreement are not

entirely public but shortly after turkey

and Somalia signed a second deal that

allows turkey ish oil and gas

exploration in Somali Waters in effect

Somalia has leased all its territorial

Waters and Marine Resources to Turkey

relations between the two are not recent

or surprising the Turks have been active

in Somalia at a time when everyone else

abandoned them economic and diplomatic

ties Run Deep turkey has the most

successful training and equipping

programs in the world running in Somalia

hundreds of professional Somali officers

are graduating annually from this

program now bilateral ties are about to

enter a new strategic phase through

these two deals with Somalia turkey will

bring in new contracts for its defense

industry and presumably other Turkish

business interests while cementing its

military presence in the Horn of Africa

and the Red Sea however the security PCT

comes with strategic obligations because

to whom much is entrusted much is

[Music]

expected today's episode is sponsored by

better help we live in what feels like

the most anxious era ever it's not

necessarily the most dangerous period

but it seems as such it's all too easy

to get overwhelmed by today's confusing

world that's why I'm a big advocate for

controlling what you can actually

control your mental health get help that

is better better help is professional

counseling done with a licensed

professional therapist online after the

service assesses your needs you get

matched for weekly phone or video

sessions with one of over 30,000 expert

therapists you can log into your account

at any any time to send them messages

and change your counselor at any time

for free so don't sit in a waiting room

don't get stuck with the only therapist

in your area don't pay any more than you

have to because there is access to

financial aid if there's something in

the way of achieving all your personal

goals try going to betterhelp.com

caspianreport for 10% off your first

month over 4 million people have already

tried this and found found some solace

in their neuronal thunderstorms mental

health is Health try health that is

better better

help Somalia might well be the

definition of a failed State ruined poor

divided isolated and dangerous Somalia

is not a place investors generally look

to do business in yet it has had one

Ally that has stood by its side in State

Building turkey since 2011 Turkish

humanitarian Aid has flown into Somalia

uninterrupted Turkish NOS became

involved in development and relief

projects while Turkish multinationals

such as Turkish Airlines promoted

campaigns to raise funds for Somalia

since entering Somalia anara has

provided more than $1 billion in aid for

programs in healthcare education public

services and infrastructure for an

economy the size of Somalia that $

billion is a small fortune eventually

though humanitarian support turned into

a strategic one turkey applied economic

and infrastructure Aid to Somalia and

then increasingly included military aid

as well in 2014 turkey reopened

mogadishu's sea port and Airport to this

day both are managed by Turkish

companies and somalia's economic

situation has improved compared to

previous decades later turkey LED an

international partnership to train and

equip the Somali National Army and in

2017 turkey opened its first overseas

military base in Mogadishu from this

military complex some 5,000 Somali

Commandos known as goror and an

additional 10,000 regular troops have

been trained they make a world of

difference in a land that has known

nothing but chaos and destruction

overall the Turkish programs

successfully brought Somalia back to a

sense of normality the country still has

a long way to go al-shabab militants

still roam the countryside and the

economy is still weak but somalis may be

forgiven for a moment of Celebration

thanks to the Turkish progr programs

there is a road map and a path forward

Somalia May yet rejoin the International

[Music]

Community however having invested so

much in Somalia the Turks also want to

protect their economic and political

interests thus expanding turkey's Naval

presence in the Red Sea was The Logical

next step in February 2024 anara and

Mogadishu signed an agreement to train

and equip somalia's Naval force and help

Patrol its 3,300 kmet Coastline the deal

is mutually beneficial for turkey it's

an opportunity to spread and grow its

defense clientele the Turkish Defense

sector is booming and anara sees itself

as an exporter of military hardware and

as a partner in training special forces

and law enforcement turkey is also one

of the few countries with independent

ship building capabilities so the

security pact with Somalia will lead to

mogadishu's procurement of Turkish Naval

platforms additionally Africa is a

massive market for security businesses

and services and Turkish weapons and

arms are relatively affordable enough to

seize a sizable market share in Africa

Somalia is thus appreciated as turkey

gateway to large defense deals in the

African Marketplace moreover given

somalia's proximity to Global Maritime

traffic turkey considers its foothold

part of a broader strategy to secure

Supply chains and create strategic depth

in the maritime domain the full details

of the deal have yet to be disclosed but

they do include terms that split the

revenue from activities in somalia's

exclusive economic zone more

specifically turkey gets a 30% share of

marine revenues in return for bolstering

somalia's maritime security capabilities

through training joint operations

information sharing and Naval

Acquisitions from the Somali angle a 30%

fee is not to be sniffed at building and

maintaining a modern Navy is one of the

costliest programs a government can

undertake not to mention one of the most

complicated ones nevertheless stronger

Maritime security institutions and

capacity are Paramount for Somalia the

country's coastline is extensive in fact

it is the longest of any African country

and so Somalia is entitled to a vast

exclusive economic zone that Harbors

significant marine life and possibly

considerable hydrocarbon

resources as such Fresh Off The heal of

the security pact turkey and Somalia

agreed to a second deal in early March

focusing precisely on oil and gas

exploration the energy deal could turn

things around for Somalia GEOS seismic

studies show that the country has

potential oil and natural gas reserves

equivalent to 30 billion barrels placing

it on par with oil Rich Kazakhstan

Mogadishu already has an exploration

deal with us-based Coastline exploration

for seven offshore blocks and drilling

is planned to start in

2025 with the new energy deal in effect

Turkish companies can be expected to

join the Americans for the oil rush

along the Somali Coast however thanks to

the security pact and the energy deal

anara has an advantage over Washington

turkey's drilling Fleet will be able to

extract natural resources at a reduced

cost compared to St standard licensing

agreements this implies that the

security PCT and now the energy deal

partially compensates Turkish Naval

activity through revenue generated from

Marine activities for context illegal

and irregular fishing off its Coast as

well as piracy costs the Somali economy

at least $300 million annually with

turkey's involvement Somalia will

eventually be able to gather at least

70% of that sum which would otherwise be

completely inaccessible somalia's e also

has many submarine cables running

through its sea floor connecting

marketplaces in the Persian Gulf with

East Africa and the Red Sea in

particular the two Africa cable and the

Eastern Africa submarine system cable

both anchoring in Mogadishu connect

dozens of nations with one another

whoever patrols these Waters would thus

gained supplementary bargaining power

across the Indian Ocean so for both

anara and Mogadishu the benefits are

mutually reinforcing and the deal is

politically and economically

sensible however while turkey and

Somalia have been working on the

maritime deal for some time recent

events have affected its timing just a

month earlier Ethiopia and Somali land

signed a memorandum of understanding

under which Ethiopia gets a 50-year

lease on a strip of land on Somali lands

Coast for Naval and Commercial Maritime

use and access to the berbera port

turkey and Ethiopia have close economic

and Military ties but the latter's

encroachment on somal land which is

considered worldwide to be part of

Somalia could have repercussions that

harm Turkish Ethiopian Rel ations in the

future sovereignty lies at the heart of

the dispute over the recent agreement

with somal land in exchange for the

Barbara Port deal Ethiopia is

considering recognizing the independence

of the separatist Somali land if it

hasn't already deao doing so openly

however could impact the Region's

stability for one it sets a dangerous

precedent Ethiopia itself is not exactly

the most secure and cohesive Nation

recognition of separatist forces could

backfire and hit Ethiopia still the

Somali land deal will enhance Ethiopia's

landlocked state giving it strategic and

economic access to the open oceans and

securing alternative routs to djibouti's

Port through which 95% of Ethiopian

exports and imports pass that said the

Somali Turkish deal serves as a check

and helps preserve somalia's sovereignty

against what it sees as foreign

encroachment but there is more to the

security pact than deterring Ethiopia

another point of consideration is the

United Arab Emirates when it comes to

the Horn of Africa the UAE is one of the

main power Brokers it has dual purpose

Assets in erria Yemen's sakota Island

breakway Somali land and Somalia proper

meanwhile the Turks have a foothold in

Sudan and

Somalia however the amirati do not see

eye to eye with their Turkish

counterparts as a result turkey and the

Emirates are engaged in a bitter rivalry

that expands The Wider Red Sea area the

UAE approves of the Ethiopia Somali land

deal mainly because it signed an

agreement of its own with Breakaway

Somali land for a share of the burbara

port since then AB Abu dhabi's economic

and political investments in both

Ethiopia and somal land have grown so

two factions have emerged in recent

times on one side are Ethiopia the UAE

and separatist Somali land on the other

are turkey and Somalia power dynamics

have shifted since and new coalitions

involving Regional and extra Regional

players continue to take shape however

geop politics can rarely ever be so

oversimplified in the past 3 years the

UAE has made substantial investments in

the Turkish economy and thus holds some

monetary leverage the same is true in

Somalia the amirati manage two key

Somali ports Barbera and bosaso the

former sits in Breakaway Somali land and

the latter in Somalia proper currently

however the emiratis are in negotiations

to acquire the port of kiso in the South

and Somali president Hassan shik muhamud

enjoys close political support from his

amirati counterpart hence with all these

crossborder Investments it's sometimes

difficult to distinguish friend from foe

as such Somalia has turned into a space

of intense competition between Ankara

and Abu Dhabi over the past decade so in

spite of its outstanding relations with

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

[Music]

L demands

accountability I've been your host

Chiron from Caspian report if you

approve of what we do please leave a

comment hit the like button and mayhaps

share the video in any case thank you

for your time and S

[Music]