Somali traditional leaders, elders and community figures have publicly praised Türkiye’s role in Somalia’s recovery, as solidarity rallies continue across Somalia for a fourth consecutive day.

A large gathering in Somali capital, Mogadishu, on Thursday, brought together traditional leaders, peace advocates, sultans and clan elders representing different sections of Somali society.

The elders described Ankara as a longstanding partner whose support has extended from humanitarian relief and healthcare to infrastructure, education and the training of Somali security forces.

Speakers used the meeting to underline what they described as the depth of the relationship between Somalia and Türkiye, while calling for closer political, economic and security cooperation.

The gathering was marked by repeated expressions of support for the bilateral relationship, with participants chanting: “Long live Somalia! Long live Türkiye!”

The speakers repeatedly referred to Türkiye's intervention during Somalia's humanitarian crises, particularly from 2011 onwards, when Ankara significantly expanded its humanitarian and development engagement and reopened its embassy in Mogadishu.

One elder argued that Türkiye's contribution should be viewed in the context of Somalia's long recovery from conflict and state collapse.

“The Somali people were not saved from the suffering and destruction of the country by politicians who fled abroad. Türkiye stood by Somalia in healthcare, in education, in infrastructure and in the building of our security forces.”

From humanitarian relief to state-building

Speakers pointed to projects and programmes in healthcare, education, local government services, infrastructure and institutional development as evidence of Türkiye's expanding role.

They said Türkiye's assistance had become particularly visible after 2011, when the country responded to Somalia's severe humanitarian crisis and subsequently broadened its engagement into longer-term development and state-building.

The relationship has since expanded into areas including security cooperation, infrastructure and economic development.

One elder highlighted sectors that he said represented new areas of opportunity for Somalia.

“Our Turkish brothers have had the courage to pursue oil exploration in Somalia. They have also supported us in the fields of space and satellite technology, areas we had never ventured into before.”

He added: “Today, Somalia is on the verge of having its own satellite, while oil exploration is progressing well. God willing, we will see further progress.”

Another elder pointed to more visible projects. “Türkiye has also played a role in the roads, hospitals and the visible development taking place across the country.”

Security cooperation takes centre stage

One elder singled out Somali forces trained by Türkiye, describing them as among the country's most capable security formations.

“Among the most capable forces in Somalia today are the forces trained by Türkiye.”

Türkiye has become an important security partner for Somalia, with Turkish facilities in Mogadishu providing training to Somali military personnel as the government seeks to build forces capable of taking greater responsibility for national security.

The issue has taken on added importance as Somalia moves towards a gradual reduction in the role of international security forces and seeks to strengthen its own security institutions.

The elders argued that Somalia's relationship with Türkiye should be understood differently. “I believe the main purpose of the relationship between Somalia and Türkiye should be for the two countries to be brothers and friends, to cooperate and to benefit together from their relationship. We benefit from it, and they benefit from us.”

Türkiye's embassy as a symbol

The construction of Türkiye's diplomatic compound in Mogadishu was also recalled as an important moment in the relationship. One elder said the scale of the embassy's construction sent a signal about Ankara's willingness to commit itself to Somalia at a time when the country was still emerging from years of conflict.

“When the Turkish embassy was being built, we were told it was the biggest embassy Türkiye had built anywhere in the world. At that time, there was very little here. But Türkiye came and built a major embassy in Somalia, and that helped put our country back on the international map.”

He described Türkiye as a country with which Somalia shares ties extending across religion, culture and politics. “Türkiye is a country we see as a brother. We share religion, culture, friendship and strong political ties.”

The elder also thanked Somalia's political leadership for maintaining the relationship.
“We want to say to the President, the Prime Minister and the leaders of Parliament: thank you for protecting and maintaining the friendship between Somalia and Türkiye. We stand with you.”

The elders warned those seeking to weaken the relationship with Ankara.

“Those trying to drive Somalia and Türkiye apart or damage their relationship have taken the wrong path and adopted the wrong thinking.”

Türkiye's role since 2011

The relationship between Somalia and Türkiye expanded sharply in 2011, when Ankara responded to Somalia's devastating drought and famine with a major humanitarian mobilisation and increased diplomatic engagement.

Türkiye subsequently reopened its embassy in Mogadishu, while bilateral cooperation expanded into healthcare, education, infrastructure, humanitarian assistance and government capacity-building.

The relationship has since developed into one of Somalia's more prominent bilateral partnerships, encompassing development assistance, economic cooperation, diplomatic engagement and military training.

The elders repeatedly called for the relationship to be strengthened on the basis of friendship, mutual respect and shared interests as they chanted “Long live Somalia. Long live Türkiye.”