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- October 13, 202618°
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Somali President Mahmud says Erdoğan’s 2011 visit opened a new era in ties
Speaking at a program held at the Presidential Palace, Somali President Mahmud said President Erdoğan’s visit to Somalia opened a new era in relations between the two countries. Mahmud said Türkiye’s support in education, health, security and natural resources had strengthened Somalia’s capacity.
Somali President Mahmud spoke at a program held at the Presidential Palace to mark the 15th anniversary of President Erdoğan’s visit to Somalia. Mahmud said relations between Türkiye and Somalia had a long history, but that the 2011 visit ushered in a new era in bilateral ties.
Mahmud said Somalia was facing a severe humanitarian crisis in 2011 and that several countries were providing aid. He said Erdoğan’s visit had changed the approach to assistance for Somalia.
Erdoğan’s visit to the camp
Mahmud said Erdoğan had come to Somalia as prime minister at the time with a delegation consisting of his wife, children, ministers and lawmakers. He said the delegation met not only with officials, adding that Erdoğan stopped his vehicle on the way to speak with children who were playing.
Mahmud said instructions were given to build schools and hospitals after these encounters. He said the schools and hospitals built by Türkiye had become examples both in Somalia and across the region.
Mahmud said Erdoğan had insisted on visiting refugee camps described as risky for security reasons, adding that Erdoğan had said at the time: “Take me there. I will not die on any day other than the day I am meant to die.”
Mahmud said Erdoğan visited the camps with his wife, Emine Erdoğan, and met with children. He said the visit went beyond humanitarian aid by providing morale and hope to people who were experiencing despair.
Cooperation in education and natural resources
Mahmud said Türkiye had also contributed to the development of Somalia’s human resources, adding that Somali youth had been sent to Türkiye for secondary and higher education.
Mahmud said Türkiye had also supported the exploration of Somalia’s natural resources. He said Somalia had previously been concerned about its budget and technical capacity to extract those resources, adding that seismic research and drilling vessels had come to Somalia with Türkiye’s support.
Security support
Mahmud said Türkiye’s support in the security field had produced important results in Somalia’s fight against the terrorist organization al-Shabaab, noting that Somalia had been fighting the group since 2007.
Mahmud said African Union forces had initially operated alongside the Somali army and that al-Shabaab had been driven out of Mogadishu. He said Somali security forces had recently made gains in the fight against terrorism through Türkiye’s training and equipment support.
Mahmud said Türkiye had trained Somali soldiers and provided the equipment they needed, adding that this support had brought about a significant change in Somalia’s security and its fight against al-Shabaab.
Economic partnership becomes new goal in bilateral ties
Mahmud stressed that Türkiye’s approach to Somalia was not limited to financial aid. He said Türkiye was helping Somalia build its own capacity through investment and education, describing the approach as “teaching someone to fish rather than giving them fish.”
Mahmud said Somali personnel had been trained for oil exploration, adding that Türkiye’s support had increased Somalia’s capacity to develop its own resources.
Mahmud said economic relations between Somalia and Türkiye were also developing. He said ties had progressed first through aid and then through infrastructure and security, adding that they expected the relationship to develop into a stronger partnership in the future.
People-to-people ties
Mahmud expressed the Somali people’s gratitude to Türkiye and the Turkish people. He said Türkiye’s support for Somalia should not be viewed solely within the framework of intergovernmental relations.
Mahmud said he was pleased that young people who speak Turkish and know Turkish culture were growing up in Somalia. He added that Somali youth seeking to produce Turkish-language discussion programs had visited him.
Mahmud said the programs were planned to be broadcast in Türkiye as well, allowing Somali youth to express their thanks to the Turkish people. He said it was of historic importance for Somalia that the two peoples understand and grow closer to one another. Mahmud added that they expected the world to adopt an approach toward Somalia similar to Türkiye’s.
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