Somalia–Turkey relations
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Somalia–Turkey relations refers to the bilateral relations between Somalia and Turkey. Somalia has an embassy in Ankara, and Turkey maintains an embassy in Mogadishu.
History
Relations between the present-day territories of Somalia and Turkey date back to the Middle Ages and the ties between the Adal Sultanate and the Ottoman Empire, reaching its zenith during the Ottoman-Portuguese conflicts.[1]
Turkey originally maintained an embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, until the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991. It subsequently discontinued operations due to security reasons.[2]
Over the ensuing interim period, the Turkish authorities continued relations with Somalia's newly established Transitional National Government and its successor the Transitional Federal Government through their non-resident diplomatic mission in Addis Ababa.[2]
Following a greatly improved security situation in Mogadishu in mid-2011, the Turkish government re-opened its foreign embassy with the intention of more effectively assisting in the post-conflict development process.[3] It was among the first foreign administrations to resume formal diplomatic relations with Somalia after the civil war.[4]
The Federal Government of Somalia was later established on August 20, 2012,[5] representing the first permanent central government in the country since the start of the conflict.[5] The following month, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was elected as the new government's first President. The election was welcomed by the Turkish authorities, who re-affirmed Turkey's continued support for Somalia's government, its territorial integrity and sovereignty.[6]
Development cooperation
Development cooperation between Somalia and Turkey is multi-tiered, and includes military, social, economic and infrastructural partnerships.[4][7]
During the drought of 2011, Turkey contributed over $201 million to the humanitarian relief efforts in the impacted parts of Somalia.[8] In partnership with the Somali government, Turkish officials have also launched various development and infrastructure projects in Somalia. They have assisted in the building of several hospitals, and helped renovate and rehabilitate the Aden Adde International Airport and the National Assembly building, among other initiatives.[4]
Turkish Airlines became the first long-distance international commercial airline in two decades to land at Mogadishu's Aden Adde International Airport.[4] The flag carrier offers two flights a week from the Somali capital to Istanbul, as of March 2012.[4]
In May 2013, the 1st Turkish-Somali Business Forum was also launched in Istanbul to highlight commercial opportunities in both Somalia and Turkey for Somali and Turkish businesses. Organized by the Somali Council in conjunction with Somali and Turkish government ministries, the event included roundtable discussions on potential commercial ventures in both countries as well as business-to-business meetings between Somali and Turkish firms.[9]
Agreements
In May 2010, the Somali and Turkish governments signed a military training agreement, in keeping with the provisions outlined in the Djibouti Peace Process.[10] Enforcement of the pact officially began in November 2012. Outlining training, technical and scientific cooperation, the treaty includes joint-service exercises between both national militaries and exchanges of delegations and personnel. It also encompasses training by the Turkish Military Medical Academy and Mapping General Command, between the gendarmerie and coast guard, as well as in-field training and education at national military installations and institutions. Additionally, the agreement includes provisions for the mutual exchange of information vis-a-vis military history, publications and museology.[7]
National reconciliation
On April 13, 2013, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud resumed reconciliation talks between the central government in Mogadishu and the regional authorities in Hargeisa. Mediated by the government of Turkey in Ankara, the meeting ended with a signed agreement between Mohamud and Ahmed Mahamoud Silanyo, President of the northwestern Somaliland region, agreeing to allocate fairly to the Somaliland region its portion of the development aid earmarked for Somalia as a whole and to cooperate on security.[11][12]
Diplomatic missions
The Somali Federal Government maintains an embassy in Ankara. The diplomatic mission is led by Ambassador Mohamed Mursal Sheikh, with Abdukadir Mohamed Nur serving as First Secretary (Consular & Legal Affairs).[13]
Turkey's embassy in Mogadishu is headed by Ambassador Kani Torun, who was appointed to the position in August 2011.[14]
See also
References
- ↑ Black, Jeremy (1996). Cambridge Illustrated Atlas, Warfare: Renaissance to Revolution, 1492-1792. Cambridge University Press. p. 9. ISBN 0521470331.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Embassy of the Somali Federal Republic in Ankara". Embassy of the Somali Federal Republic in Ankara. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
- ↑ "No: 248, 1 November 2011, Press Release Regarding the Re-opening of the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu". Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Why Turkish aid model is proving to be a success in Somalia and elsewhere, Rasna Warah, Saturday Nation, 1 April 2012.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Somalia: UN Envoy Says Inauguration of New Parliament in Somalia 'Historic Moment'". Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
- ↑ "Communiqué on Secretary-General’s Mini-Summit on Somalia". United Nations. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Turkey-Somalia military agreement approved". Today's Zaman. 9 November 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- ↑ "Turkey raises $201 million for Somalia". Hurriyet. August 26, 2011.
- ↑ "1st Turkish-Somali Business Forum". Somali Council. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- ↑ "Turkey, Somalia sign military training pact". People's Daily Online. 23 May 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- ↑ "Somalia: President Hassan and President Silanyo meet in Turkey". Garowe Online. 13 April 2013. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
- ↑ "Historic Somalia Summit in Ankara. Presidents of Somalia and Somaliland met in Ankara". Republic of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
- ↑ "Embassy of the Somali Federal Republic in Ankara". Embassy of the Somali Federal Republic in Ankara. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
- ↑ "Turkey goes to Somalia for permanent works - ambassador". World News Bulletin. 29 August 2011. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
External links
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