Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ stated, “It is time to discuss the establishment of a new or strengthened UN mission in Somalia. As a first step, the UN can immediately begin a strategic review in Somalia.”
Speaking at the opening of the 2nd Somali Conference themed “Preparing Somalia’s Future: 2015 Goals,” Bozdağ emphasized that increasing the resilience capacity of the Somali people requires a multi-dimensional strategic approach and an investment policy covering multiple sectors.
Bozdağ highlighted that Turkey’s Somali policy aims to integrate Somalia into the international agenda by supporting humanitarian aid, development, infrastructure projects, political reconciliation, and security. He underlined that Turkey’s holistic Somali strategy is based on the principle of interdependence among its elements, addressing each dimension simultaneously and comprehensively.
He expressed confidence that “only such a strategy can provide lasting solutions for Somalia.”
Pointing to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s August visit to Somalia as a turning point that elevated Somali-Turkish relations and brought Somalia back into international focus, Bozdağ noted, “The reopening of our embassy in Mogadishu on November 1, 2011, and Turkish Airlines’ commencement of direct flights to Mogadishu on March 5, 2012, have significantly helped break Somalia’s isolation and integrate it with the international community.”
Bozdağ stated that as part of this comprehensive strategy, Turkey prioritizes reconstruction and development projects starting from Mogadishu, supporting and advancing these initiatives jointly with the Somali government.
He added, “Alongside humanitarian aid on the ground by our public and civil society organizations, we have begun implementing development and reconstruction projects. Organizations such as TIKA, responsible for coordinating aid distribution, the Ministry of Health operating two field hospitals, the Turkish Red Crescent managing a tent city sheltering over 15,000 people, and the Presidency of Religious Affairs and Turkish Religious Foundation officials are actively engaged. Several civil society organizations are also conducting volunteer aid activities in various Somali regions. The number of people reached with humanitarian aid distribution has reached 870,000.”
Bozdağ also detailed projects mentioned by Erdoğan during his visit, including fencing the airport perimeter, installing lighting towers, painting the terminal building, providing garbage trucks, removing waste threatening public health, improving cleanliness, and incinerating bones. Additionally, a cold storage and mobile kitchen facility have been rapidly constructed and put into service, with many projects already completed.
He confirmed that water wells continue to be drilled in and around Mogadishu and that orphanages and hospitals built by civil society and official bodies are operational, with more under construction.
Bozdağ mentioned cooperation between Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Mogadishu Municipality to modernize the city’s sanitation services according to contemporary standards, including infrastructure, equipment, and staff training nearing completion.
Highlighting education efforts, Bozdağ said a Turkish school opened in Mogadishu is operating, and numerous Somali students have begun receiving scholarships to study in Turkey. Approximately 1,500 Somali students receive scholarships through TIKA, the Ministry of National Education, the Presidency of Religious Affairs, and various private institutions.
Bozdağ stressed that Turkey has broken the mold regarding Somalia, changing perceptions and leading the international community to rethink Somalia positively. He said, “Turkey walks hand in hand with the Somali people, listening to them and working together to find solutions.”
He emphasized that no one should view Somalia only through lenses of terror, hunger, and piracy and asserted that Somalia and its people have a bright future, which requires belief and action. Only with this understanding can lasting solutions be found for Somalia’s problems.
Addressing Somalia’s challenges, Bozdağ said, “Somalia faces significant tests: ensuring security and public order, political stability, social reconciliation through dialogue, strengthening institutional capacity nationwide, guaranteeing food security, revitalizing the economy, ending piracy, and improving infrastructure in health and education.”
He warned that without addressing basic public service infrastructure needs essential for daily life, Somalia will face serious difficulties in achieving peace and stability. He stressed the urgent need to rebuild the Somali state.
Bozdağ called for a new mechanism and mission to conduct the state-building process in close cooperation with the Somali government, noting that international assistance is crucial but the main responsibility lies with Somalis themselves.
He explained, “Somalia is at a breaking point of a vicious cycle created by years of violence and humanitarian tragedy. The real power to break this cycle lies with the Somali people. When Somalis unite and resolve their issues through dialogue, they will overcome this vicious cycle, enabling the international community to provide more effective assistance.”
Bozdağ urged Somalis, including the diaspora, to produce appropriate solutions based on their culture, history, and realities rather than waiting for others. He stressed the importance of shared national consciousness.
Turkey will stand alongside Somalia throughout this process, offering all kinds of assistance. He called on the international community to develop comprehensive and multidimensional policies to support Somalia’s state reconstruction, stating, “Everyone carries a great responsibility: to ensure that the light of hope, which has blossomed in Somalia after 20 years, does not extinguish and instead brightens every person, home, city, and corner of Somalia. Whoever fails to contribute to maintaining this light will be responsible for its extinguishment.”