Somalia Reaffirms Official Position on Cyprus Following Speaker’s Controversial Post
Somalia clarifies that the Speaker’s remarks on Cyprus were personal and do not reflect any change in the country’s official foreign policy stance.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 21, 2026
2 min read
Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified its position after the newly elected Speaker of the National Assembly, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, posted a message referring to Cyprus as the "Republic of Turkey". The ministry emphasized the post was a personal communication and does not indicate any shift in Somalia’s foreign policy.
In a formal statement, the Ministry reiterated Somalia’s adherence to international law and United Nations resolutions concerning the Cyprus dispute. It reaffirmed the country's respect for the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, citing UN Security Council Resolutions 541 (1983) and 550 (1984).
Key Points from Somalia’s Foreign Ministry Statement
- The Speaker’s post should not be interpreted as official government policy.
- Somalia continues to support a peaceful, negotiated resolution of the Cyprus issue under UN auspices.
- No recognition has been given to any separate entity in northern Cyprus.
- The Federal Government has made no decisions altering its established position on Cyprus.
The Speaker’s original post expressed gratitude to Dr. Ziya Oztukler, Speaker of the Assembly of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, for congratulating him on his election. Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur secured the Speaker position with 142 votes in the 275-member parliament, defeating his opponent Abdulkadir Omar Maolim.
Somalia’s official stance remains firmly committed to the principles of the United Nations Charter and the peaceful resolution of international disputes.
