The issue that US President Trump always speaks about the Somali people and their system of government is sensitive and needs to be viewed in a balanced way. It is not something that can be directly attributed to one reason, but there are several factors that have come together.
Donald Trump’s statements and Somalis.
On various occasions, especially during his time in office, Trump has made statements about countries including Somalia, which were related to:
Security and terrorism
Immigration and travel bans
His general view on low-income countries
Most of these statements were aimed at domestic politics in the United States, in order to gain support from specific people.
US Interests in Somalia
The US has several interests in Somalia:
Security: Combating Al-Shabaab
Strategy: Somalia is located on a key waterway (Red Sea and Indian Ocean)
Resources: Although yet to be fully confirmed, there are suspicions of oil and other resources
As such, the US is constantly operating inside Somalia—military, intelligence, and political.
Turkey and Somalia: A Strengthening Relationship
Turkey has become a major ally of Somalia:
Building infrastructure (airport, port)
Training troops (TURKSOM base)
Investment and humanitarian aid
This has made Somalia a meeting point for diverse international interests.
Is there no US-Turkish “underground war” in Somalia?
Officially:
The United States and Turkey are NATO allies
Both work together on security issues
But strategically:
There may be an influence competition
Turkey has focused on “soft power” (development, economy)
The United States has focused on “hard power” (military, security)
This may seem like a “low-level war,” but it is actually a competition for influence—not an outright war.
Somalia’s resources: fact or fiction?
There are reports that:
Oil off the coast of Somalia
Other natural resources
But:
Most of it is not yet fully confirmed
Many countries are interested (not just the United States)
Therefore, saying that Trump is “going for the resources” is a theory that can be said to be possible, but there is no full and official proof.
Conclusion
Trump’s remarks on Somalia have mostly been related to domestic US politics
The US has security and strategic interests in Somalia
Turkey has built a strong development influence
There may be a competition for influence, but not a formal covert war
The issue of resources is a matter of debate, but has not yet been clearly established.
Written by.Gud. Timajilic.
