President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia and Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan convened on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Türkiye, to discuss the enduring brotherly ties between Somalia and Türkiye. Their meeting focused on deepening cooperation in trade and security, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to accelerating the offensive against international terrorism in Somalia, recognizing that a stable and prosperous Somalia is vital to regional and global peace and security.
This meeting builds upon the longstanding partnership between Somalia and Türkiye, which has been instrumental in Somalia’s reconstruction and stabilization efforts since 2011. Türkiye has provided extensive support in various sectors, including humanitarian aid, infrastructure development, and military training. Notably, the TurkSom military base in Mogadishu has trained over 5,000 Somali security forces, enhancing the country’s capacity to combat threats like Al-Shabaab.
Furthermore, the two nations have engaged in agreements to bolster Somalia’s maritime security and economic development. In April 2024, President Mohamud attended a ceremony aboard Türkiye’s TCG Kınalıada Corvette in Mogadishu, marking the implementation of a defense agreement aimed at protecting Somalia’s territorial waters and fostering economic cooperation.
The Antalya Diplomacy Forum provided an ideal platform for President Mohamud and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to engage in fruitful discussions and explore avenues for enhanced collaboration. The presence of heads of state and government, along with esteemed diplomats, experts, and scholars, lent further significance to this meeting, underscoring the global recognition of the importance of diplomatic efforts in addressing conflicts and fostering peace.
In addition to defense and security, Türkiye’s involvement in Somalia encompasses economic initiatives, such as the construction of a biogas power plant in Mogadishu, expected to provide energy to around 40,000 homes by the end of 2024. These multifaceted collaborations underscore the depth of the Somalia-Türkiye partnership and their shared vision for a stable and prosperous Horn of Africa.