MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Former Puntland minister and Somali political commentator Ali Haji Warsame has questioned Turkey’s ability to commercially develop Somalia’s offshore oil resources, arguing that Ankara’s current operations in Somali waters are limited to exploration and fall far short of full-scale oil production.
Wararka Soomaaliya
Speaking in a recent interview, Warsame said the Turkish exploration vessel operating off central Somalia is carrying out what he described as test drilling and exploration activities, not commercial drilling or oil extraction.
He argued that Turkey does not currently possess the capability to independently develop the offshore blocks awarded under its hydrocarbons agreement with Somalia’s federal government and would ultimately require partnerships with major international energy companies before any commercial production could begin.
Warsame further claimed that the development process could take years, saying Somalia is unlikely to see commercially produced offshore oil before 2034, even if exploration proves successful and future investment moves ahead.
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The former Puntland minister also criticized the terms of the Somalia-Turkey petroleum agreement, alleging that Ankara is seeking a 90% share of profits under what he described as an opaque and unfavorable deal negotiated with the current federal administration.
He argued that the Somali public has not been fully informed about the agreement and accused officials of creating unrealistic expectations by suggesting the country is on the verge of producing offshore oil.
“The public is being led to believe commercial oil production is imminent when the process remains years away,” Warsame said.
Saamaynta
Warsame joins a growing number of Somali academics, politicians and public figures who have publicly questioned the transparency and legal basis of Somalia’s petroleum partnership with Turkey.
Among the most prominent critics is Somali scholar Professor Abdi Ismail Samatar, who has repeatedly argued that the agreement lacks sufficient transparency and should have undergone broader legal and institutional scrutiny before implementation.
In recent social media posts, Samatar accused Turkey of pursuing Somalia’s natural resources through what he characterized as an improperly negotiated agreement with the federal government. He also alleged that Ankara’s military support for Mogadishu – including drones, air support and other security assistance – is intended to safeguard its strategic and economic interests in Somalia. Those allegations have not been independently verified, and neither the Turkish nor Somali governments have acc
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