Somali cabinet ministers have strongly defended the country’s strategic relationship with Turkey following anti-Turkey protests in Jubaland and South West state, including the burning of the Turkish flag.
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Somali Report) — Several Somali cabinet ministers have strongly defended the country’s relationship with Turkey after protests against Ankara in parts of Jubaland and South West state, including an incident in which the Turkish flag was burned.
The ministers spoke at a farewell ceremony in Mogadishu on Friday for Turkish Ambassador Alper Aktaş, who has completed his diplomatic mission in Somalia.
Their remarks came amid growing tensions over Turkey’s role in Somalia, following demonstrations in parts of Jubaland and South West state and allegations that Turkish military aircraft carried out strikes near Baidoa, where Somali government forces have been engaged in tensions with fighters loyal to former South West president Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen.
Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali, known as Dhaay, said the actions of an individual group would not damage the longstanding relationship between Mogadishu and Ankara.
“A separate group cannot harm the friendship between Turkey and us. Turkey stood by us during a difficult time, and we will always stand together,” he said.
Defence Minister Ahmed Moallin Fiqi also condemned the burning of the Turkish flag, saying Turkey had made significant contributions to Somalia and its people.
“Burning the Turkish flag will not diminish Turkey, whether it is done by angry people in the regions or by those who have joined Al-Shabaab,” Fiqi said.
His comments appeared to refer to demonstrations reported in areas outside the federal government’s control, although there was no independent confirmation that protesters involved in the flag-burning had joined Al-Shabaab.
Energy and Water Resources Minister Abdullahi Bidhaan Warsame likewise criticized what he described as efforts to damage relations between Somalia and Turkey.
“Politicians working for foreign interests cannot harm Turkey. We stand with Turkey and will not replace it with anyone else,” Bidhaan said.
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The comments come as relations between Somalia and Turkey have faced public scrutiny following recent protests in Jubaland and South West state.
Turkey has been accused by critics of carrying out airstrikes around Baidoa amid a political and security dispute between the federal government and forces aligned with Laftagareen. Ankara has not been publicly established as responsible for all the alleged strikes, while Somalia’s federal authorities have not provided a detailed public account attributing specific incidents to Turkey.
The tensions have added a new dimension to Somalia’s already complex political disputes, as the federal government seeks to consolidate its authority while facing opposition from some regional administrations and political figures.
Turkey remains one of Somalia’s closest international partners and has invested heavily in the country since expanding its engagement more than a decade ago.
Ankara has provided substantial humanitarian assistance, particularly during periods of severe drought, while also becoming a major partner in Somalia’s military development.
Turkey operates a military training facility in Mogadishu and has trained thousands of Somali soldiers as part of efforts to rebuild the national armed forces.
Somali officials have repeatedly described Turkey as a strategic partner, while Ankara has backed Somalia’s territorial integrity and provided economic, humanitarian and security assistance.
The farewell for Aktaş therefore offered senior Somali officials an opportunity to reaffirm those ties despite the recent public backlash.
The ministers’ statements also underscored the federal government’s position that demonstrations and political disagreements should not be allowed to undermine Somalia’s broader strategic relationship with Turkey.
For Ankara, Somalia has become one of its most important partners in the Horn of Africa, while Mogadishu continues to rely heavily on Turkish support in defence, infrastructure, humanitarian assistance and institutional development.
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.
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