ANKARA / MOGADISHU — Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ali Mohamed Omar, has expressed deep appreciation for Türkiye’s long-standing partnership with Somalia, crediting Ankara for playing a pivotal role in the country’s recovery and diplomatic progress over the past 14 years.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with TRT One-on-One, Minister Omar described the bilateral relations as “very warm and deep,” adding that Türkiye’s engagement in Somalia has been “instrumental in the settlement and stabilization” of the country.

Unlike other foreign actors, Omar highlighted that Türkiye’s approach to Africa is uniquely “holistic,” grounded in mutual respect and national sovereignty. “Türkiye deals with the institutions of government rather than NGOs or individuals. It respects sovereignty and builds sustainable partnerships, not prescriptive ones,” he noted.

Turkey’s Role in Easing Somalia–Ethiopia Tensions

Turning to recent regional tensions, Omar elaborated on the strained relations between Somalia and Ethiopia following Ethiopia’s controversial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) involving one of Somalia’s regions. He credited Türkiye with mediating the diplomatic crisis, which resulted in the Ankara Declaration signed on December 11, 2024.

“Since then, we’ve seen significant improvement. I’ve visited Addis Ababa three times, and heads of state from both countries have exchanged visits. We expect the next technical meeting to take place in Ankara before the end of the month,” said Omar.

U.S. Military Presence in Somalia: A Strategic Renewal

Minister Omar also addressed Somalia’s decision to renew its defense cooperation with the United States, based on a 1980 agreement allowing U.S. access to three Somali ports: Berbera, Kismayo, and Mogadishu.

“The geopolitical environment is dynamic. Somalia has the longest coastline in Africa, and we believe renewing our defense deal with the U.S. will enhance our ability to fight terrorism,” Omar explained. He confirmed U.S. support in operations against Al-Shabaab in the south and ISIS in Puntland.

Security Progress and AU Challenges

Reflecting on Somalia’s internal security challenges, Omar said the fight against terror groups like Al-Shabaab and Daesh remains ongoing but has seen measurable progress since the formation of a permanent government in 2010.

“What makes Somalia unique is that we have to build a national army and fight insurgents at the same time. It’s a dual task that is rarely done anywhere else,” he said. He acknowledged African Union support but noted institutional and logistical hurdles in maintaining long-term security.

Electoral Reform on the Horizon

Looking ahead, Omar confirmed Somalia’s push toward universal suffrage, moving away from elite-based, indirect elections. The government aims to hold local council elections by mid-2025, with national one-person-one-vote elections planned for mid-2026.

“We’ve already begun registering political parties and voters. The aim is to give every Somali citizen a voice in shaping the future,” he stated.