Somalia Hails Growing Ties with Turkey on Republic Day Anniversary

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia has praised Turkey’s growing role in its reconstruction and development, highlighting decades of diplomatic ties that have expanded into cooperation on infrastructure, security and economic development.

The remarks came as Somalia’s Upper House Speaker, Abdi Hashi Abdullahi, attended a ceremony marking the 103rd anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey at the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu.

Abdullahi congratulated the Turkish government and people on the anniversary, describing relations between the two countries as a partnership built on mutual respect, cooperation and solidarity.

He praised Ankara’s contribution to strengthening Somali state institutions and rebuilding infrastructure, saying Turkish-backed development projects had helped improve the lives of Somali citizens.

Turkey has emerged as one of Somalia’s key international partners since expanding its engagement in 2011, when then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan visited Mogadishu during a devastating famine.

Since then, Ankara has supported infrastructure development, healthcare, education and security cooperation, while Turkish companies have taken on significant roles in managing major facilities, including Mogadishu’s airport and seaport.

The relationship has also deepened through military training and defence cooperation, reflecting Turkey’s expanding strategic interests in the Horn of Africa.

The Republic Day celebration, observed annually on October 29, commemorates the proclamation of the Turkish Republic in 1923.

The anniversary provided an opportunity for Somalia to reaffirm a partnership that has grown beyond humanitarian assistance into broader political, economic and security cooperation.