Quick Brief: Somalia — Oil breakthrough, nationwide protests, deeper Turkey ties

Jan 01, 2026 — Oil breakthrough; nationwide unity protests; Turkey deepens ties

Top story

• Somalia announces major oil and gas progress; Turkish drilling ship set to deploy.The Federal President said technical and scientific assessments show “positive results” for Somalia’s oil and natural gas potential, and reported the Turkish drilling vessel Çağrı Bey is preparing to deploy to Somali waters to begin extraction work. (Primary reporting describes move from exploration toward production.)Why it matters: If confirmed and developed, the finds and Turkish partnership could reshape Somalia’s economy and attract further investment; details on timelines, reserves and contracts remain limited in the reporting.Sources: Somali National News Agency — President Hassan Sheikh on oil & gas; also from: Turkey Today (reported inside SONNA item) — Erdogan on drilling, spaceport.

What else happened

Governance & Diplomacy

• Nationwide protests against recognition of Somaliland and Israeli actions. Large demonstrations took place in Mogadishu, Baidoa, Marka, Guriceel, Hobyo, Galkayo, Las Anod and other cities rejecting Somaliland’s independence bid and condemning Israeli actions. (Source: SONNA — Photos: Protests across Somalia; also: SONNA — Jowhar protests; SONNA — Beledweyne mayor).
• UK reiterates support for Somalia’s sovereignty. London said it does not recognise Somaliland’s independence and urged dialogue between Mogadishu and Hargeisa, while reaffirming security assistance to Somalia. (Source: SONNA — UK statement).
• Malaysia expresses full solidarity with Somalia. Malaysia’s prime minister publicly backed Somalia’s unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty amid the regional tensions. (Source: SONNA — Malaysia statement).
• Somalia reaffirms support for Yemen. Mogadishu reiterated backing for Yemen’s sovereignty, praised Saudi Arabia’s stabilisation role, and appealed for international support for a political solution. (Source: SONNA — Somalia on Yemen).

Economy & Infrastructure

• Mogadishu opens Nasiib Buundo Road; municipal funding highlighted. The mayor inaugurated a newly completed road in Shibis, financed entirely by the local government, and announced plans to convert many dirt roads to asphalt in 2026. (Source: SONNA — Nasiib Buundo Road).
• China-Somalia cooperation outlook published by Chinese ambassador. An op-ed outlines plans to align China’s development agenda and Somalia’s National Transformation Plan and highlights sectors for cooperation. (Source: SONNA — China-Somalia cooperation (op-ed)).

On the ground

• Thousands marched in Jowhar, filling streets with chants rejecting territorial division; community leaders led the rallies. (Source: SONNA — Jowhar).
• Beledweyne’s city centre was packed as the mayor addressed crowds waving national flags and calling for unity. (Source: SONNA — Beledweyne).
• Photo coverage shows synchronized rallies across multiple regions — rare nationwide civic coordination around sovereignty issues. (Source: SONNA — Photos).

Watchlist

• Arrival and deployment timeline for the Turkish drilling vessel Çağrı Bey — watch for confirmation of arrival, planned drill sites and start of production operations. (Source: SONNA — Oil/gas).
• Details on reserves, contracts and environmental safeguards — the president’s statement notes positive assessments but gives few technical or contractual specifics.
• Follow further international diplomatic responses to Israel’s move on Somaliland and any mediation efforts between Mogadishu and Hargeisa. (See UK, Malaysia, Turkey comments.)
• Implementation updates on Turkey’s announced projects (including the spaceport plan) and Mogadishu’s Phase II road corridor works. (Sources: Turkey Today via SONNA; SONNA — Road).

Sources: Somali National News Agency (SONNA); Turkey Today.

Compiled from public reporting; links above.