Former Puntland minister and political commentator Ali Haji Warsame has publicly questioned Turkey’s ability to commercially develop Somalia’s offshore oil resources, arguing that Ankara’s current activity off central Somalia amounts to test drilling and exploration, not commercial production.

Warsame said Turkey lacks the capacity to independently develop the offshore blocks awarded under its hydrocarbons agreement with Somalia’s federal government and would need partnerships with major international energy companies before any commercial output could begin. He argued Somalia is unlikely to see commercially produced offshore oil before 2034, even in an optimistic scenario.

He also criticised the terms of the Somalia-Turkey petroleum agreement, alleging Ankara is seeking a 90% share of profits under what he called an opaque and unfavourable deal, and said the Somali public has not been properly informed about its terms. Warsame joins other Somali academics and public figures, including Professor Abdi Ismail Samatar, who have questioned the agreement’s transparency; some have separately alleged Turkish military support for Mogadishu is partly intended to protect Ankara’s economic interests, claims that have not been independently verified and that neither government has accepted.

Somalia’s federal government has defended the partnership as a way to unlock offshore energy resources, attract investment and strengthen long-term economic development, saying exploration is proceeding in accordance with Somali law. Turkey has described the cooperation as part of a broader strategic partnership supporting Somalia’s development.

Source: somaliguardian.com