Sunday, May 16, 2026 (Baidoa Online) -The Free Parliament has accused the Government of Turkey of what it described as “blatant interference” in the internal affairs and sovereignty of the Federal Government of Somalia.
In an official statement issued by members of the parliament, lawmakers expressed concern over Turkey’s growing political influence in Somalia, warning that such involvement could threaten the country’s independence, national decision-making process, and constitutional governance.
The parliamentarians emphasized that Somalia is a sovereign state with full authority over its domestic affairs and international relations. They stated that no foreign government should exert direct influence over Somalia’s political institutions or leadership decisions.
While acknowledging the longstanding cooperation between Somalia and Turkey, the lawmakers stressed that bilateral relations must be based on mutual respect, transparency, and full recognition of Somalia’s sovereignty and constitutional framework. They added that international partnerships should strengthen Somali institutions rather than create political dependency or external control.
The Free Parliament also called on the Federal Government of Somalia to safeguard the nation’s independence by reviewing agreements and strategic partnerships with foreign states to ensure they align with the interests of the Somali people.
Turkey has not yet issued an official response to the allegations. Ankara remains one of Somalia’s key international partners, providing extensive support in areas including security, infrastructure development, education, healthcare, and humanitarian assistance.
The accusations come amid growing public and political debate over the role of foreign influence in Somalia’s governance, with increasing calls for stronger protection of the country’s sovereignty and independent political decision-making.