Dr Hussein A. Bulhan, the president of Frantz Fanon University, who is part of Somaliland and Somalia negotiations facilitated by Turkey said Turkey is not a neutral third party.

Speaking at a public lecture organized by Centre for Policy Analysis, a think tank based in Hargeisa, Dr Bulhan argued that Turkey is against Somaliland’s independence.

"Somaliland’s separation is based on the principle of self-determination and the genocide committed against the people of Somaliland. Such claims remind Turkey the Kurdish people’s demands and the Armenian allegations of genocide committed by Turkey,” he said.

"Turkey builds and invests in Mogadishu. Their position is clear,” he added.

Dr Bulhan is a member of a group of intellectuals from Somaliland and Somalia who met in Turkey to propose solutions as part of the negotiation process.

Since 2012 Somaliland and Somalia have been in negotiations facilitated and hosted by Turkey. Currently, the talks are on hold as elections are happening in Somalia.

About the author