Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has departed for Türkiye on an official visit, as announced by Villa Somalia on Thursday. During his stay, President Mohamud is scheduled to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to discuss and enhance bilateral relations between Somalia and Türkiye.
Türkiye has been a significant partner to Somalia, providing extensive assistance across various sectors. Since 2011, Turkish humanitarian and technical development aid to Somalia has exceeded $1 billion, encompassing projects in health, education, municipal services, and infrastructure.
In the realm of military support, Türkiye has played a pivotal role in strengthening Somalia’s security forces. Notably, Türkiye established its largest overseas military base in Mogadishu, where it trains Somali military and police personnel. Recently, Türkiye delivered Bayraktar Akıncı unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) to Somalia, enhancing the country’s capabilities in combating Al-Shabaab insurgents.
The upcoming discussions between Presidents Mohamud and Erdoğan are expected to further solidify the cooperative ties between Somalia and Türkiye, focusing on mutual interests and regional developments.