Somalia, Turkey Agree on New Electoral Cooperation Deal

GOOBJOOG NEWS | ANKARA: Somalia’s National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) has concluded a high-level visit to Turkey, where officials engaged in in-depth talks with the Supreme Election Council of Turkey to bolster Somalia’s electoral infrastructure and deepen bilateral cooperation in democratic governance.

The discussions, held in Ankara, focused on key aspects of election management, including voter registration, diaspora participation, and institutional frameworks, as Somalia moves to modernize its electoral systems in preparation for future national polls.

The Somali delegation, led by senior electoral officials, explored Turkey’s long-standing electoral procedures and expressed keen interest in the country’s advanced voter registration mechanisms. In particular, Somalia is looking to adopt strategies that enable the participation of its widespread diaspora, a challenge Turkey has addressed through inclusive and technology-driven systems.

“This partnership offers a critical opportunity to learn from Turkey’s well-established democratic practices and adapt them to the Somali context,” a spokesperson for the NIEC said following the meetings.

A significant outcome of the talks was an agreement on technical cooperation between the two countries’ electoral bodies. Turkish officials pledged to provide Somalia with technical support, including capacity-building training and technology transfer aimed at enhancing the skills and infrastructure of Somali electoral staff.

Officials noted that the collaboration would also support Somalia’s broader goal of conducting credible, transparent, and inclusive elections.

“The knowledge and tools shared by Turkey could significantly strengthen the integrity of our electoral process,” an NIEC delegate stated.

Beyond meetings with Turkey’s election council, the Somali delegation also held consultations with senior officials at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including the Director-General and the Director of the Africa Department. The discussions centered on broader diplomatic cooperation and shared strategic interests in regional stability and democratic development.

This diplomatic and technical engagement with Turkey marks a strategic step in Somalia’s ambition to build a modern electoral system anchored in international best practices.

Analysts say the move reflects Somalia’s growing intent to move away from clan-based and ad hoc voting structures toward a more formalized, one-person-one-vote framework.

“The collaboration with Turkey could prove pivotal in advancing Somalia’s electoral credibility and institutional maturity,” said a regional governance expert based in Nairobi.

With upcoming elections on the horizon, Somalia’s electoral commission is expected to continue strengthening partnerships with international counterparts in its bid to secure a democratic future.