Federal legislator Eng. Sadiq Abdullah Abdi has called on Türkiye to enhance transparency in its engagements with Somalia, cautioning that secrecy in agreements could erode public trust. In a media interview on Thursday, Abdi emphasized the necessity for all dealings to align with Somali interests and not be perceived as favoring foreign agendas.
Eng. Sadiq Abdullah Abdi is a co-founder of the Somali-Siman Civic Engagement Organization, which advocates for a united, independent, democratic, and inclusive Somalia. He served as the Minister of Public Works, Reconstruction & Housing from 2017 to 2018, contributing to national asset recovery and the protection of public property.
This call for transparency comes in the context of Türkiye’s active involvement in Somalia’s development and security sectors. Türkiye has established its largest overseas military base in Mogadishu, trained thousands of Somali soldiers, and managed key infrastructure projects, including the Mogadishu airport and port. These efforts have significantly contributed to Somalia’s development but have also sparked discussions about the nature and transparency of foreign engagements.
Furthermore, Türkiye has played a mediating role in regional disputes, such as brokering a landmark truce between Ethiopia and Somalia after nearly a year of tense relations. This mediation led to the Ankara Declaration, which has been hailed as a significant move for fostering security in the Horn of Africa region and the Red Sea.
Eng. Abdi’s remarks underscore the importance of transparency and alignment with national interests in international agreements, especially those involving significant foreign involvement in domestic affairs.