MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia and Türkiye highlighted the expanding scope of their strategic partnership during a forum in Mogadishu on Thursday, with officials emphasizing closer cooperation in security, maritime affairs, economic development and communications.
Somali Parliament Speaker Abdullahi Mohamed Nur presided over a panel discussion titled around a new era in Somalia-Türkiye relations, organized by Türkiye’s Directorate of Communications. The event brought together Somali and Turkish officials to examine the history of the relationship and its growing strategic importance.
In his keynote address, Mr. Nur pointed to misinformation and Somalia’s rapidly changing media environment as issues requiring greater attention. He called for stronger links between Somali and Turkish media institutions and for a coordinated approach to reaching audiences through social media platforms.
Somalia’s Information Minister, Abdifatah Qasim, said the relationship had developed beyond traditional bilateral ties into a strategic partnership with increasingly close links between the two populations. He emphasized institutional cooperation, communication and mutual understanding as important to sustaining that relationship.
Türkiye’s Presidential Communications Director, Burhanettin Duran, described Somalia as a key partner in a video message to the forum. He cited President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s 2011 visit to Mogadishu as an important milestone in the development of relations between the two countries.
Mr. Duran said the partnership had since expanded across security, development, economic cooperation and institutional capacity-building. He also highlighted the Ankara Declaration and cooperation in defense, maritime affairs, energy and technology as important elements of the relationship.
The Ankara Declaration, signed in December 2024 with Turkish mediation, helped ease tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia over access to the sea and reaffirmed principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Türkiye has also become one of Somalia’s most significant international partners in the security and economic sectors. The two countries have expanded defense cooperation, while Ankara has supported Somalia’s efforts to develop its maritime capabilities and explore offshore energy resources.
The Mogadishu forum comes as those ties continue to broaden beyond government-to-government relations, with officials increasingly emphasizing institutional, media and people-to-people connections.
Speakers at the event presented the relationship as one that has evolved considerably since 2011, while stressing the need for stronger communication and cooperation to sustain its next phase.
