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Tunç Demirtaş

@tuncdemirtas7,185 subscribers

FP Researcher @setavakfi /Assist. Prof. | IR at Mersin University | Somalia | Horn of Africa (Rt&Fav&Follow)≠endorsement & support | Dedicated 🇹🇷

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Alxamdulillah, Mogadishu is safer and more peaceful than ever before. Being able to walk comfortably through the streets of Mogadishu at this hour of the night is a unique pleasure. It is clear that Somalia has risen from its ashes once again.

Alxamdulillah, Mogadishu is safer and more peaceful than ever before. Being able to walk comfortably through the streets of Mogadishu at this hour of the night is a unique pleasure. It is clear that Somalia has risen from its ashes once again.

45,373 Aufrufe

🇹🇷 🤝 🇸🇴 Today marks another important milestone in Türkiye-Somalia relations. Following TPAO’s seismic research activities, the Çağrı Bey Drilling Vessel is being dispatched from Mersin Taşucu Port to Somalia. Somalia will be the vessel’s first mission area, and drilling operations will begin once it reaches Somali territorial waters. This marks a moment of great excitement and opens a new chapter in energy cooperation between the two countries. InshaAllah this step brings positive and beneficial outcomes. May it lead to good and prosperous results.

🇹🇷 🤝 🇸🇴 Today marks another important milestone in Türkiye-Somalia relations. Following TPAO’s seismic research activities, the Çağrı Bey Drilling Vessel is being dispatched from Mersin Taşucu Port to Somalia. Somalia will be the vessel’s first mission area, and drilling operations will begin once it reaches Somali territorial waters. This marks a moment of great excitement and opens a new chapter in energy cooperation between the two countries. InshaAllah this step brings positive and beneficial outcomes. May it lead to good and prosperous results.

21,879 Aufrufe

The upcoming weeks could be a period that requires close attention in terms of the geopolitical direction of East Africa. The overall picture in Addis Ababa indicates that the region is passing through a critical threshold. We are in Addis Ababa as part of President Erdoğan’s visit to Ethiopia. 1. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Ethiopia–Türkiye relations. Türkiye’s first embassy in Sub-Saharan Africa was opened in Addis Ababa in 1926. The main theme of the visit, consistent with this historical continuity, is a “Permanent Partnership.” 2. Ethiopia occupies an extremely sensitive position within the conflict-prone and competitive environment of the Horn of Africa. The leadership seeks to consolidate its position on issues it considers vital. At the same time, it tends to turn any emerging opportunity into a strategic gain. 3. However, growing demographic pressure, economic challenges, the fatigue of internal conflict, and other domestic vulnerabilities-combined with the structural disadvantages of being a landlocked country-are pushing Addis Ababa toward alternative strategic options. 4. In this context, the strategy of “access to the sea” is seen as a form of strategic relief-both for managing internal pressures and deepening regional influence. Creating economic breathing space, reducing logistical dependence, and increasing strategic maneuverability are the core motivations behind this approach. 5. This places Ethiopia in a difficult equation: it must produce policy within a competitive-and at times confrontational-regional environment where its ambitions may clash with the sovereignty sensitivities of its neighbors. The search for maritime access therefore stands out as an issue that could easily harden the region’s fragile balance. 6. Its closer alignment with the UAE in the Sudan civil war reflects the cumulative pressures of multiple security and economic challenges. Recent developments suggest that Ethiopia may seek a more active and visible role in the Sudan file in the near term. 7. At the same time, military movements along the Eritrean border carry risks that could trigger a new confrontation. For Ethiopia, the Eritrea issue is directly linked to its most critical maritime option. Access to the sea through Assab remains central to its strategic thinking. Historical grievances and current security concerns are deeply intertwined in this file. 8. Another critical relationship is with Egypt. The core issue here is the Nile Basin and water security. While the GERD dam represents energy production, development, and strategic leverage for Ethiopia, it is perceived by Egypt as a high-risk scenario. What began as a technical water management issue has evolved into a geopolitical matter directly tied to regional power balances. 9. When regional dynamics and the engagement of external actors are considered together, it becomes clear that Ethiopia is navigating a multilayered but high-risk foreign policy landscape-one that affects fault lines across North Africa, the Middle East, the Gulf, and the Horn of Africa. 10. Within this broader tension environment, Türkiye-Ethiopia relations remain in a positive trajectory. Despite differences in certain areas, the potential for deeper cooperation is high. Today, both leaders delivered strong messages in this direction. 11. President Erdoğan’s visit comes at a time when regional conflict dynamics are becoming increasingly visible. Ankara is seeking to develop a balancing approach aimed at preventing potential conflicts and lowering rising regional tensions. Given that Türkiye has both direct and indirect interests tied to the nature of its relationship with Ethiopia, the process is being managed with careful strategic consideration. 12. From arrival to departure, President Erdoğan was warmly received in Addis Ababa. The key areas of focus included economic cooperation, defense industry partnerships, and critical regional issues. Murat Yeşiltaş SETA

The upcoming weeks could be a period that requires close attention in terms of the geopolitical direction of East Africa. The overall picture in Addis Ababa indicates that the region is passing through a critical threshold. We are in Addis Ababa as part of President Erdoğan’s visit to Ethiopia. 1. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Ethiopia–Türkiye relations. Türkiye’s first embassy in Sub-Saharan Africa was opened in Addis Ababa in 1926. The main theme of the visit, consistent with this historical continuity, is a “Permanent Partnership.” 2. Ethiopia occupies an extremely sensitive position within the conflict-prone and competitive environment of the Horn of Africa. The leadership seeks to consolidate its position on issues it considers vital. At the same time, it tends to turn any emerging opportunity into a strategic gain. 3. However, growing demographic pressure, economic challenges, the fatigue of internal conflict, and other domestic vulnerabilities-combined with the structural disadvantages of being a landlocked country-are pushing Addis Ababa toward alternative strategic options. 4. In this context, the strategy of “access to the sea” is seen as a form of strategic relief-both for managing internal pressures and deepening regional influence. Creating economic breathing space, reducing logistical dependence, and increasing strategic maneuverability are the core motivations behind this approach. 5. This places Ethiopia in a difficult equation: it must produce policy within a competitive-and at times confrontational-regional environment where its ambitions may clash with the sovereignty sensitivities of its neighbors. The search for maritime access therefore stands out as an issue that could easily harden the region’s fragile balance. 6. Its closer alignment with the UAE in the Sudan civil war reflects the cumulative pressures of multiple security and economic challenges. Recent developments suggest that Ethiopia may seek a more active and visible role in the Sudan file in the near term. 7. At the same time, military movements along the Eritrean border carry risks that could trigger a new confrontation. For Ethiopia, the Eritrea issue is directly linked to its most critical maritime option. Access to the sea through Assab remains central to its strategic thinking. Historical grievances and current security concerns are deeply intertwined in this file. 8. Another critical relationship is with Egypt. The core issue here is the Nile Basin and water security. While the GERD dam represents energy production, development, and strategic leverage for Ethiopia, it is perceived by Egypt as a high-risk scenario. What began as a technical water management issue has evolved into a geopolitical matter directly tied to regional power balances. 9. When regional dynamics and the engagement of external actors are considered together, it becomes clear that Ethiopia is navigating a multilayered but high-risk foreign policy landscape-one that affects fault lines across North Africa, the Middle East, the Gulf, and the Horn of Africa. 10. Within this broader tension environment, Türkiye-Ethiopia relations remain in a positive trajectory. Despite differences in certain areas, the potential for deeper cooperation is high. Today, both leaders delivered strong messages in this direction. 11. President Erdoğan’s visit comes at a time when regional conflict dynamics are becoming increasingly visible. Ankara is seeking to develop a balancing approach aimed at preventing potential conflicts and lowering rising regional tensions. Given that Türkiye has both direct and indirect interests tied to the nature of its relationship with Ethiopia, the process is being managed with careful strategic consideration. 12. From arrival to departure, President Erdoğan was warmly received in Addis Ababa. The key areas of focus included economic cooperation, defense industry partnerships, and critical regional issues. Murat Yeşiltaş SETA

14,109 Aufrufe

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🇹🇷 🤝🇸🇴Efforts to externally divide Somalia are moving in clear opposition to the social and political realities on the ground. The clashes that previously occurred in Las Anod did not bring stability to the former administration. Instead, they resulted in governance weaknesses, a loss of legitimacy, and political failure. Continuing a similar discourse today in Hargeisa would amount to nothing more than repeating the same mistake. Las Anod’s decision to separate from Somaliland and declare its affiliation with the Federal Republic of Somalia is not merely a local decision. It constitutes a strategic response by the Somali people in favor of unity rather than fragmentation. Similar messages emerging from Awdal further demonstrate that this trend is structural rather than temporary. While external actors seeking to fragment Somalia remain active, the emergence of a strong willingness among significant segments of the Somali population to integrate into the central federal structure is noteworthy. What we are witnessing in Somalia today is the reversal of the classic “divide-and-rule” approach: divide, fragment, and reunify. In this context, the presence of the Somali President and Prime Minister, alongside Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan, standing with the Somali people in Las Anod was not merely symbolic. It conveyed a clear message in support of Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political unity. As it has in the past, Türkiye will continue to stand by the will, unity, and sovereignty of the Somali people.

Tunç Demirtaş

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The upcoming weeks could be a period that requires close attention in terms of the geopolitical direction of East Africa. The overall picture in Addis Ababa indicates that the region is passing through a critical threshold. We are in Addis Ababa as part of President Erdoğan’s visit to Ethiopia. 1. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Ethiopia–Türkiye relations. Türkiye’s first embassy in Sub-Saharan Africa was opened in Addis Ababa in 1926. The main theme of the visit, consistent with this historical continuity, is a “Permanent Partnership.” 2. Ethiopia occupies an extremely sensitive position within the conflict-prone and competitive environment of the Horn of Africa. The leadership seeks to consolidate its position on issues it considers vital. At the same time, it tends to turn any emerging opportunity into a strategic gain. 3. However, growing demographic pressure, economic challenges, the fatigue of internal conflict, and other domestic vulnerabilities-combined with the structural disadvantages of being a landlocked country-are pushing Addis Ababa toward alternative strategic options. 4. In this context, the strategy of “access to the sea” is seen as a form of strategic relief-both for managing internal pressures and deepening regional influence. Creating economic breathing space, reducing logistical dependence, and increasing strategic maneuverability are the core motivations behind this approach. 5. This places Ethiopia in a difficult equation: it must produce policy within a competitive-and at times confrontational-regional environment where its ambitions may clash with the sovereignty sensitivities of its neighbors. The search for maritime access therefore stands out as an issue that could easily harden the region’s fragile balance. 6. Its closer alignment with the UAE in the Sudan civil war reflects the cumulative pressures of multiple security and economic challenges. Recent developments suggest that Ethiopia may seek a more active and visible role in the Sudan file in the near term. 7. At the same time, military movements along the Eritrean border carry risks that could trigger a new confrontation. For Ethiopia, the Eritrea issue is directly linked to its most critical maritime option. Access to the sea through Assab remains central to its strategic thinking. Historical grievances and current security concerns are deeply intertwined in this file. 8. Another critical relationship is with Egypt. The core issue here is the Nile Basin and water security. While the GERD dam represents energy production, development, and strategic leverage for Ethiopia, it is perceived by Egypt as a high-risk scenario. What began as a technical water management issue has evolved into a geopolitical matter directly tied to regional power balances. 9. When regional dynamics and the engagement of external actors are considered together, it becomes clear that Ethiopia is navigating a multilayered but high-risk foreign policy landscape-one that affects fault lines across North Africa, the Middle East, the Gulf, and the Horn of Africa. 10. Within this broader tension environment, Türkiye-Ethiopia relations remain in a positive trajectory. Despite differences in certain areas, the potential for deeper cooperation is high. Today, both leaders delivered strong messages in this direction. 11. President Erdoğan’s visit comes at a time when regional conflict dynamics are becoming increasingly visible. Ankara is seeking to develop a balancing approach aimed at preventing potential conflicts and lowering rising regional tensions. Given that Türkiye has both direct and indirect interests tied to the nature of its relationship with Ethiopia, the process is being managed with careful strategic consideration. 12. From arrival to departure, President Erdoğan was warmly received in Addis Ababa. The key areas of focus included economic cooperation, defense industry partnerships, and critical regional issues. Murat Yeşiltaş SETA

Tunç Demirtaş

14,109 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

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