Somalia, 4 November 2025 — Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi ‘Irro’ has urged Turkey to engage with Somaliland on a fair and respectful basis, during a meeting with the Turkish Consul General to Somaliland, Ozan Pekin, and his deputy at the Presidential Palace on Monday.
The meeting focused on bilateral relations and strengthening cooperation in diplomacy, trade, investment, and development projects Turkey supports in Somaliland.
President Cirro said Somaliland welcomes Turkey’s support to Somali communities, but emphasized that Somaliland expects to be treated as an independent, peaceful, and democratic partner.
“Somaliland deserves to be treated fairly by Turkey as an independent, peaceful and democratic country that is genuinely ready for international cooperation,” the presidency said in a statement issued after the meeting.
Consul Pekin — who assumed office in September 2025 — thanked President Cirro for the reception and reaffirmed Ankara’s interest in continued cooperation.
Turkey opened its consulate in Hargeisa in 2014, as part of its wider policy in the Horn of Africa.
Bilateral engagement has largely focused on development, education, and youth programmes, although Somaliland has repeatedly urged Ankara to adopt a more balanced political approach and recognize its distinct status.