The criticism comes amid escalating tensions following the expiration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s constitutional mandate on May 15, 2026, a development that has intensified divisions between the federal government, opposition groups, and several Federal Member States.

Former presidential candidate and opposition leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame issued one of the strongest political warnings yet directed at Türkiye’s role in Somalia, arguing that Ankara risks damaging its long-standing reputation among Somalis by aligning itself with a leader whose constitutional term has expired.

In an article titled "The Risks of Backing Hassan Sheikh: Türkiye and Somalia’s Deepening Political Crisis,” Abdirahman stated that Somalia is entering "one of the most fragile constitutional moments in its post-conflict history.”

He warned that Türkiye’s public support for Hassan Sheikh after the end of his mandate could deepen constitutional instability and political polarization.

"For Türkiye, the challenge is equally significant,” Abdirahman wrote. "If Ankara wishes to preserve the goodwill it has earned among Somalis, it must ensure that its engagement remains anchored in support for the Somali people, constitutional governance, and inclusive political dialogue — not personalized alignment with a single political figure during a contested transition.”

At the same time, Somali MP Hassan Abdinoor directly accused Türkiye of supporting military operations carried out against Somali civilians, regional security forces, and armed opponents of the federal government.

In a statement addressed to the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu, the lawmaker condemned what he described as Turkish drone operations and military assistance being used inside Somalia during the ongoing political and security crisis.

"We strongly condemn military and technical support being used against Somali civilians and official Somali security forces,” Hassan Abdinoor stated.

He further alleged that Turkish drones were being deployed in operations targeting Somali forces and communities opposed to the federal government, while providing strong military backing to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud despite the expiration of his constitutional mandate.

The accusations extend beyond South West State alone, reflecting broader opposition concerns that foreign military support is increasingly becoming tied to Somalia’s internal political disputes rather than national counterterrorism objectives.

Türkiye has not publicly responded to the latest allegations.

For more than a decade, Türkiye has remained one of Somalia’s closest international allies, heavily involved in infrastructure development, humanitarian assistance, military training, healthcare, and economic investment. Turkish support has traditionally enjoyed broad public support inside Somalia due to its visible role in reconstruction and emergency assistance.

However, opposition figures now argue that Ankara risks losing political neutrality by appearing to side with one political faction during a contested transition period.

The criticism comes as Somalia faces deepening uncertainty over delayed elections, disputes surrounding constitutional legitimacy, rising political fragmentation, and worsening security conditions in several regions.

Political tensions have also intensified following accusations of federal intervention in regional administrations, growing clan-based mobilization, and renewed Al-Shabaab attacks exploiting divisions among Somali political actors.

Analysts warn that Somalia’s unresolved constitutional crisis could further destabilize the country if political stakeholders fail to reach a negotiated consensus on the electoral process and transition of power.

Opposition leaders continue calling on international partners, including Türkiye, to prioritize constitutional order, inclusive political dialogue, and neutrality rather than direct alignment with contested political leadership.