Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, delivered an emotional tribute to Türkiye as the two nations marked 60 years of formal diplomatic relations.
Speaking at a commemorative event in Ankara, the minister described the anniversary as more than a diplomatic milestone, saying the relationship stretches back centuries and is rooted in shared values, faith and history.
2011 Visit a “Turning Point”
Abdulkadir highlighted August 2011 as a defining moment, when then–Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Mogadishu during a devastating famine and security crisis.
“He went where others said it was impossible to go,” Abdulkadir said, describing the visit as a declaration of solidarity that restored Somalia’s dignity at a time of deep isolation. Erdogan traveled with ministers, officials, civil society representatives and his family despite security risks.
When others saw risk, Türkiye saw responsibility,” he added.
The minister said the visit marked the moment Somalia no longer felt abandoned and helped bring renewed international attention to the country’s recovery.
From Humanitarian Aid to Strategic Partnership
Since 2011, Türkiye has expanded its engagement across humanitarian, educational, infrastructure and institutional sectors. Turkish-backed projects have supported hospitals, roads and schools, while scholarship programmes have enabled thousands of Somali students to study in Türkiye.
“Türkiye did not speak to Somalia from afar,” Abdulkadir said. “Türkiye worked in Somalia, with Somalia, for Somalia.”
He also noted Türkiye’s early decision to maintain a permanent diplomatic presence in Mogadishu when many governments remained cautious, arguing that Ankara’s engagement encouraged broader international confidence.
Deepening Economic and Security Cooperation
The partnership has evolved into broader strategic cooperation. Abdulkadir pointed to the Defense and Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement signed in February 2024 as an irreversible step toward long-term alignment.
Türkiye has expanded its footprint in maritime development, port infrastructure and energy exploration. The seismic survey vessel Oruç Reis recently completed oil exploration surveys in Somali waters, while the exploration vessel Çağrı Bey has departed to continue oil and gas initiatives.
Beyond economic engagement, Türkiye has supported Somalia’s fight against terrorism through security capacity-building and regional stabilization efforts, strengthening Ankara’s strategic role in the Horn of Africa.
As both countries commemorate six decades of diplomatic relations, Abdulkadir framed the partnership not as transactional but as rooted in brotherhood.
“We are not simply two states cooperating,” he said. “We are two nations bound by history, values and a common future.”
Source: TRT Africa
