Turkey to explore oil blocks offshore Somalia in race for minerals
TLDR
- Turkey enhances influence in Africa, targeting mineral resources competition against China, Russia, and the US.
- Ankara's Oruc Reis research vessel to explore oil blocks off Somalia's coast, aiming to access over 30 billion barrels of oil and gas reserves.
- Strategic move by Turkey to tap into Somalia's energy potential, intensifying presence in the Horn of Africa region.
Turkey is intensifying its influence in Africa, joining global powers like China, Russia, and the US in the competition for the continent's vast mineral resources.
A key development in this strategy is Ankara's plan to dispatch the Oruc Reis research vessel next month to explore oil blocks off the coast of Somalia, Bloomberg reports.
This move is part of a broader effort to tap into the Horn of Africa nation's significant energy potential, with some geo-seismic studies suggesting that Somalia could possess over 30 billion barrels of oil and gas reserves.
Key Takeaways
Turkey's involvement in Somalia is not new. The relationship between the two countries has been growing stronger over the years, with Turkish companies already managing critical infrastructure in Somalia, including the port and airport in the capital, Mogadishu. Turkey has also established its largest overseas military base in Somalia, underscoring its commitment to deepening ties and securing strategic interests in the region. As Turkey continues to expand its footprint in Africa, its actions in Somalia signal a broader ambition to secure resources and influence on the continent.
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