President Hassan Sheikh Attends 15th Anniversary of Somalia-Turkiye Diplomatic Ties

MOGADISHU — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has attended a gala dinner commemorating the 15th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations and friendship between Somalia and the Republic of Turkiye.

The event highlighted the significance of the historic visit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Mogadishu on August 19, 2011, which opened a new chapter in the relations and cooperation between the two countries.

President Hassan Sheikh noted that the past 15 years of cooperation between Somalia and Turkiye have reached a high level, encompassing security, development, education, health, economic infrastructure, and humanitarian assistance. He expressed gratitude to the government and people of Turkiye for their steadfast support to Somalia, emphasizing that the relationship between the two nations is built on brotherhood, mutual respect, and shared interests.

A Transformative Partnership

The anniversary marks a relationship that has fundamentally transformed Somalia’s security and development landscape. President Hassan Sheikh and President Erdoğan held a high-level strategic meeting in Istanbul in April 2026, reaffirming the expanding strategic partnership across energy, trade, and security sectors. The two leaders assessed the significant returns from the existing economic partnership and discussed enhancing cooperation in national security, economic development, and infrastructure [citation:7].

Erdoğan stated that Ankara would continue taking steps to strengthen relations with Somalia across multiple sectors, particularly trade and energy, and reiterated Turkey’s support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity [citation:7].

Defense and Security Cooperation

Somalia’s Minister of Defence has called for accelerated defense cooperation with Turkiye, with Turkish Ambassador Alper Aktaş reaffirming Ankara’s commitment to rebuilding the Somali National Army, which is leading decisive operations against the Khawarij threat [citation:3]. The meeting built upon a series of agreements aimed at enhancing defense and economic cooperation, including a 10-year agreement giving Turkiye authority to protect Somali waters [citation:3].

Turkey has also stepped into a mediation role in Somalia’s political crisis, with a Turkish delegation conducting separate meetings with federal government officials and opposition leaders following clashes in the capital. Diplomatic sources indicated that Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) personnel participated in the talks [citation:2].

While Turkey has categorically rejected reports suggesting that Russian-made S-400 air defense systems had been deployed to Somalia, the defense ministry reiterated that the deep, strategic defense collaboration continues unabated under previously established bilateral accords, concentrating heavily on training Somali national forces and enhancing their operational capabilities [citation:5].

Minister of Defence Ahmed Moallim Fiqi held talks with Turkish counterpart Yaşar Güler at the SAHA 2026 Defence Industry Fair, exploring ways to enhance defense collaboration focusing on improving the capabilities of the Somali National Armed Forces [citation:6].

Reports indicate that Turkiye is preparing to deploy military personnel, including private defense contractors, to Somalia to support counterterrorism efforts against Al-Shabaab, following the Turkish parliament’s approval of a two-year deployment in July 2024 [citation:9].

Somalia is set to tighten defense and energy cooperation with Turkey, with Minister of Defense Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur representing Somalia at a meeting in Ankara with Turkish ministers Yaşar Güler and Alparslan Bayraktar [citation:10].

Economic, Energy and Maritime Cooperation

Somalia is pursuing enhanced medical partnerships with Turkiye, with the Turkish Ambassador and Deputy Health Minister meeting to discuss training and healthcare infrastructure [citation:4].

Somalia and Turkiye are strengthening ties in marine sector development, with the Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy meeting the Turkish Ambassador to advance cooperation in sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and investment in Somalia’s marine resources [citation:11].

Somalia and Turkiye are boosting spaceport cooperation, with Ambassador Fathudin Ali Mohamed holding discussions with the President of the Turkish Space Agency regarding the ongoing development of Somalia’s strategic spaceport facility. Turkey has announced plans to construct a $350 million spaceport in Somalia near the town of Jamaame [citation:8].

The anniversary comes amid a resurgence of piracy targeting Turkish interests, including the hijacking of the Cameroon-flagged cargo vessel LUTUF carrying Turkish weapons and communications equipment destined for a Turkish military training facility in Mogadishu [citation:12].

Critical Note

The 15th anniversary of Somalia-Turkiye relations is a testament to the depth of the partnership and its significant contributions to Somalia’s stabilization and reconstruction. President Erdoğan’s 2011 visit was a watershed moment that signaled Turkiye’s commitment to Somalia at a time when international attention was waning. Turkish investments in security, infrastructure, and humanitarian aid have been substantial and have had a tangible impact on the ground.

However, the partnership has not been without its challenges. The management of Mogadishu’s port and airport by Turkish companies has faced scrutiny over financial transparency. The relationship, while strategically significant, has also been a reflection of Turkiye’s evolving global ambitions, including its military and economic footprint in the Horn of Africa, raising questions about the balance of interests in the partnership.

As Somalia and Turkiye celebrate this milestone, both sides must ensure that the next 15 years of cooperation are built on greater transparency, accountability, and mutual benefit. The Somali government must strengthen its oversight of Turkish-managed assets to ensure that the relationship delivers maximum benefits for Somali citizens, while Turkiye must continue to support Somalia’s state-building efforts in a manner that respects Somali sovereignty and institutional development.