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Turkey Says Somalia Could Begin Official Oil Drilling in 2026 as Political Questions Remain
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Monday December 08, 2025 - 19:30:20 in Latest News by Super Admin
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Sunatimes.com -Turkey has indicated that 2026 could mark the beginning of Somalia's first official oil drilling operations, a potential turning point for a country struggling with decades of economic stagnation and political fragmentation.
The announcement was made by Turkey's Minister of Energy, Alparslan Bayraktar, who confirmed that Ankara has already acquired new exploration vessels specifically designed for offshore extraction along Somalia's coastline.
security guarantees,
Bayraktar said recent seismic surveys conducted in Somali waters showed promising results, adding that a more detailed public announcement is expected as early as January, once the final technical assessments are complete.
Not Just Offshore — Turkey Eyes Onshore Drilling
What raises deeper political and economic questions is Turkey’s intention to expand exploration inland, a move that would require:
security guarantees,
large-scale investment,
and critical infrastructure that Somalia does not currently possess.
According to Bayraktar, some of the potential oil-bearing zones are located in remote regions with no road access, meaning the first stage of drilling could require building roads, logistical facilities, and secure operational bases before commercial extraction is possible.
Resource Wealth Amid Political Uncertainty
The announcement comes at a time when Somalia faces:
a fragile political transition,
unclear electoral timelines,
growing mistrust between federal and regional authorities,
and no national agreement on how to manage or share natural resource revenues.
Analysts warn that launching commercial oil drilling without a governing framework could provoke future disputes over revenue distribution and ownership—especially in a country already divided by clan politics and federal power struggles.
A Turning Point or a Dangerous Gamble?
President Hassan Sheikh, now entering the last phase of his term, may see the project as an opportunity to leave a historic legacy. Yet success will depend on whether Somalia can develop state capacity, sector governance, and transparency mechanisms strong enough to regulate foreign oil partnerships.
If handled responsibly, 2026 could represent a major economic breakthrough. But without national consensus and trusted oversight, oil extraction risks intensifying political competition and deepening instability—exactly at a moment when Somalia hopes to enter a new era.
By Dahir Alasow
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Turkey Says Somalia Could Begin Official Oil Drilling in 2026 as Political Questions Remain
Sunatimes.com -Turkey has indicated that 2026 could mark the beginning of Somalia's first official oil drilling operations, a potential turning point for a country struggling with decades of economic stagnation and political fragmentation. Th