Somali Minister of Defense Ahmed Moallim Fiqi evaluated the
relations between Türkiye and Somalia—especially in the field of
defense—as well as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to
Somalia in 2011.
Referring to President Erdoğan and his delegation’s visit to the
country in 2011, at a time when the terrorist organization
al-Shabaab was surrounding Mogadishu, Fiqi said, “I remember that
day. Indeed, just a few days later the city was liberated, and the
capital has been experiencing a sense of independence and stability
for 14 years now.”
Pointing out that this was thanks to the cooperation between
Somali institutions and international friends—especially
Türkiye—Fiqi emphasized that relations between the two countries
are currently at their best level.
Referring to the memorandum of understanding signed between the
Ministries of National Defense of Somalia and Türkiye, Fiqi made
the following remarks:
“As you can see right now, the state-of-the-art combat
helicopters produced by Türkiye are flying over me. In addition,
our armed forces are using large defense vehicles produced by
Türkiye. Also, within the framework of the memorandum of
understanding, Somali Special Forces are being trained by Türkiye
at the TURKSOM Military Training Base.”
Minister Fiqi stated that they want to implement major projects
and said they particularly want to enhance cooperation in the
economic field to ensure the country’s stability.
Fiqi recalled that during President Erdoğan’s visit in 2011,
Mogadishu was not safe and that he remembers the famine and the
dire situation the Somali people were in at the time.
“Indeed, we are in a much better place today, and I see that
this relationship is progressing day by day,” said the Somali
Defense Minister, emphasizing that Türkiye’s largest embassy is
also located there and that he believes this relationship will
endure.