Somalia’s President Thanks Turkish Ambassador for Ongoing Support in Meeting

Somalia’s President Thanks Turkish Ambassador for Ongoing Support in Meeting

Following a recent meeting with the Turkish Ambassador to Somalia, Ibrahim Mete Yagli, Somalia’s president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed his gratitude for Turkey’s unwavering assistance in his nation’s development, security, and humanitarian needs. The meeting, which took place in Dhusamareb, covered various topics including bilateral relations and security developments.

Symbolizing the strong ties between the two nations, Camp TurkSom, Turkey’s most significant overseas military base and training facility, stands firm in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. The facility has trained over 5,000 Somali security forces and can accommodate around 1,500 trainees simultaneously. The meeting between President Mohamud and Ambassador Yagli occurred amidst Mogadishu’s campaign for the lifting of a UN-imposed arms embargo on Somalia, established in 1992 following the collapse of the country’s military regime.

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From 2011 to Now: A Friendship Strengthened

The bond between Somalia and Turkey has significantly grown since Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Somalia in 2011. Since then, Turkey has constructed an 80,000-square-meter embassy in Mogadishu, its largest in Africa. Turkish humanitarian organizations have also been active in Somalia, contributing significantly to famine prevention in 2022.

Last month marked the signing of a joint venture agreement to establish a biogas power plant in Mogadishu. The agreement, signed at the Turkish embassy, anticipates a production capacity of 5.6 MW/hour for the plant, which is projected to provide energy to approximately 40,000 homes by the end of 2024.

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Adding to the growing relationship between the two nations, Somalia anticipates the opening of a Ziraat Bank branch in Mogadishu, which would mark the first Turkish bank in the country. This move signifies a deepening economic relation and the potential for increased financial cooperation between Turkey and Somalia.

The ongoing support from Turkey reflects a new chapter in the bilateral relations between the two nations. This partnership not only addresses Somalia’s immediate needs but also contributes to the long-term development goals of the country. It showcases the potential of international cooperation in fostering peace, stability, and prosperity in regions grappling with security and development challenges.

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