Somali Defence Minister dismissed under US pressure

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud dismissed Defence Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur on March 16th, following lobbying efforts by US military sources, as reported by Middle East Eye.

Nur was reassigned to the role of Minister of Ports, amid indications that US support for Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab, the terrorist organisation, has slowed.

Sources told MEE that Nur’s efforts to strengthen Somalia’s military and aerospace cooperation with Turkey were not well-received by Washington, which maintains close ties with the United Arab Emirates in the Horn of Africa.

Under Nur’s leadership, Somalia and Turkey signed a naval trade and defence agreement in February of last year.

While full details were not disclosed, sources suggest the deal granted Turkey the responsibility of safeguarding Somali waters, helping to establish a Somali navy, and assisting with energy exploration, particularly in response to Ethiopia’s recent maritime deal with the de facto authorities of Somaliland.

A Somali official told Middle East Eye that US military officers pressured President Mohamud to dismiss Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, citing concerns over his lack of coordination with American forces.

“They also demanded access to the February agreement,” the official stated.

“These discussions happened multiple times throughout the year as US lobbying efforts intensified.”

Furthermore, Ankara’s agreements to explore oil and gas resources in Somali territory reportedly did not sit well with US officials.

The official and another source told MEE that Turkey’s deployment of two Bayraktar Akinci armed drones to Mogadishu on March 18th to combat al-Shabab was the final straw.

“The Americans essentially made it clear that if Nur wasn’t removed, they would reconsider their security cooperation with Mogadishu,” the source added.

Ahmed Abdullahi Sheikh, a former Danab commander, praised President Mohamud’s decision to remove Nur, saying, “I wholeheartedly welcome the change in leadership.”

In contrast, a Turkish official downplayed the impact of Nur’s dismissal on Ankara-Mogadishu relations, stating that Turkey’s ties with Somalia are based on institutional cooperation rather than personal connections.

The official stated, “This will not affect our relationship… all agreements with Mogadishu were signed with the government and the Somali president.”

The official also highlighted Turkey’s significant investments in Somalia’s infrastructure and defense.

The situation, with the Somali Defence Minister being dismissed due to ongoing US pressures, underscores the delicate balance of international relations in Somalia, where both strategic interests and foreign partnerships are constantly at play.