Somalia, Turkey Enter New Era of Strategic Partnership, Prime Minister Says
Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre says Somalia and Turkey are entering a new phase of strategic cooperation, shifting from humanitarian support toward investment, economic growth and shared prosperity after 15 years of close ties.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) — Somalia and Turkey have entered a new phase in their relationship based on mutual benefit and shared prosperity, Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre said Wednesday, praising Ankara for standing by Somalia through 15 years of humanitarian, security and economic challenges.
Barre made the remarks at an event in Mogadishu marking the 15th anniversary of the partnership between Somalia and Turkey. He said the relationship had evolved from humanitarian support into a broad strategic partnership covering security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, diplomacy, trade and investment.
The prime minister highlighted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Mogadishu in 2011 as a defining moment in bilateral relations. Erdogan travelled to Somalia at a time when the country was facing a severe drought, famine and insecurity, in a visit that Barre said opened a new chapter between the two countries.
“That visit carried a clear message that Somalia must not be forgotten and that the Somali people were not alone,” Barre said, describing the trip as a symbol of Turkey’s solidarity with Somalia at one of its most difficult moments.
Over the past 15 years, Turkey has provided support to Somalia across a wide range of sectors, including humanitarian assistance, education, healthcare, infrastructure, security, diplomacy, trade and investment. Barre also highlighted educational cooperation, noting that thousands of Somali students have studied in Turkey and later returned home as professionals working in different fields.
The prime minister said Somalia today was fundamentally different from the country Erdogan visited in 2011, pointing to progress in security, the economy and diplomatic relations. “Somalia in 2026 is not Somalia in 2011. We have travelled a difficult road and come a long way,” he said.
Barre cited several milestones he said reflected Somalia’s progress over the past decade and a half, including completion of the country’s debt relief process, joining the East African Community and lifting of the UN arms embargo. Somalia was also elected to serve as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, further strengthening its diplomatic role internationally.
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He said the government was now seeking to move beyond reliance on external assistance towards sustainable development and greater self-reliance. Future cooperation with Turkey, he said, would therefore focus increasingly on economic opportunity, mutual benefit and shared prosperity.
The prime minister’s comments come as Mogadishu seeks to deepen partnerships with countries including Turkey while strengthening its state institutions and expanding economic opportunities. Ankara has maintained a significant presence in Somalia, supporting development and security initiatives and building close political ties with the federal government.
Barre said the two countries’ partnership had demonstrated its resilience over 15 years and could now serve as a foundation for a new phase of cooperation. He stressed that Somalia wanted future relations with Turkey to deliver tangible benefits for both countries and contribute to long-term prosperity.
The anniversary comes at a time when Somalia is seeking to consolidate political, economic and security gains after years of conflict and instability. For Mogadishu, Turkey remains one of its most important strategic partners, while Ankara has consistently presented Somalia as a key relationship in its engagement with Africa and the wider region.
Barre said the next chapter of Somalia-Turkey relations should be defined not only by solidarity in times of crisis, but also by investment, economic growth, institutional development and shared opportunities.
The prime minister said Somalia was ready to build on the foundations established over the past 15 years and pursue a partnership with Turkey centred on “mutual benefit and shared prosperity.”
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.