MOGADISHU, Somalia – A Turkish cargo ship carrying critical military supplies for Somalia’s army has been forced to divert to Djibouti due to severe weather, just weeks after it was released from a contentious two-week detention by the semi-autonomous state of Puntland.
The vessel, MV Sea World, is now anchored in Djibouti after encountering the dangerous seasonal sea conditions known locally as “bad xiranka,” sources confirmed Monday. It is expected to remain in port for several weeks, further delaying the arrival of much-needed equipment for Somalia’s escalating war against Al-Shabaab insurgents.
The diversion is the latest setback for a vessel whose journey has been dogged by politics. Its arrival in Djibouti follows its release on August 4 after a standoff that exposed the deep political fractures and competing international interests shaping stability in the Horn of Africa.
The crisis began on July 18, when the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) intercepted the MV Sea World off the coast of Bareda in the strategic Ras Asayr region.
Puntland authorities, claiming the ship was “loitering suspiciously,” escorted it to the Port of Bosaso for inspection. The situation was complicated by reports that local fishermen had boarded the vessel, amplifying regional security fears over its sensitive cargo.
The seizure provoked a furious response from Somalia’s Federal Government in Mogadishu. In a sharp escalation, the central government publicly accused Puntland of “piracy,” a charge that transformed a regional security issue into a national political crisis.
For two weeks, the ship remained at the center of intense negotiations. A multi-pronged diplomatic effort ultimately broke the deadlock. Turkey, a key security partner to the Mogadishu government, sent a delegation led by Ambassador Alper Aktaş for direct talks with Puntland’s President, Said Abdullahi Deni.
Concurrently, the United Arab Emirates, which maintains strong ties with Puntland, played a crucial back-channel role. UAE mediation was reportedly instrumental in de-escalating tensions and paving the way for an agreement.
The standoff ended after Turkey provided what Puntland’s government called “complete evidence” of its ownership of the cargo. In an official statement, Puntland announced it was transferring full responsibility for the vessel and its assets back to Turkish authorities.
The entire episode has unfolded in the shadow of the UN Security Council’s landmark decision in December 2023 to lift its 30-year arms embargo on Somalia. While intended to strengthen the national army, the move has fueled anxiety among federal states like Puntland, which fear that unchecked arms imports by the central government could destabilize the country.
Puntland’s assertive actions are viewed by analysts as a direct response to this new reality, reflecting a determination by federal states to have oversight on security matters.
The delayed shipment is destined for Camp TURKSOM in Mogadishu, Turkey’s largest overseas military base. The facility is vital for training and equipping Somalia’s elite Gorgor (Eagle) commando brigades, which are often at the forefront of major anti-insurgent operations.
The saga of the MV Sea World highlights the twin obstacles hampering Somalia’s path to stability: an unforgiving natural environment and the persistent political divisions that continue to complicate critical international security assistance.