Geopolitics at Sea: Turkey, Somalia, and the Red Sea Nexus

Turkey and its position strategy on the map

Turkey occupies a unique and strategic geopolitical position, bridging Europe and Asia. Turkey’s geopolitical strategy is multifaceted, involving economic, military, and diplomatic efforts to enhance its influence and secure its interests on the global stage.

Turkey has significantly increased its presence and influence in Africa over the past decade.

Turkey’s growing influence in Africa is part of its broader strategy to enhance its global standing and economic prosperity. It also has excellent access to different regions worldwide.

Turkey’s growing influence in Africa is part of its broader strategy to enhance its global standing and economic prosperity.

• Economic Engagement

• Military and Security Cooperation

• Development and Humanitarian Aid

• Cultural and Educational Exchanges

• Strategic Partnerships

Federico Donelli is an international relations professor at the University of Trieste in Italy. He covers Red Sea security and politics.

He wrote an interesting article published in The Conversation titled “Red Sea Politics: Why Turkey is Helping Somalia Defend its Waters.” He is also the author of “Turkey in Africa: Turkey’s Strategic Involvement in Sub-Saharan Africa.”

In this new episode of The Geopolitical Puzzle, Federico Donelli shares why the Red Sea is important in geopolitics and why Turkey is so interested in this region of Africa, especially its defense and maritime agreements with Somalia.

Somalia and Turkey have expanded their defense agreement to include the maritime sector. Initially signed on February 8, 2024, this agreement now authorizes Turkey to build, train, and equip the Somali navy and defend Territorial waters if necessary.

Juan Carlos Giraldo

Image: Getty