Somali President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed (right) met with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Speaking at the “2nd Istanbul Somali Conference,” Ahmed expressed the shared hope to rescue Somalia from its ongoing tragedy and establish a sustainable country.
Ahmed emphasized, “Our common desire is to save Somalia from the tragedy it is experiencing and to build a livable nation.”
He added, “We are striving to govern Somalia with a just administration fully representing the will of the people.”
Addressing violence and the proliferation of arms in Somalia, Ahmed stated, “We must stand against violence and the use of weapons. We need to create a reconciliation environment that can resolve all conflicts.”
During his speech at the Istanbul Congress Center, Ahmed described the conference as a turning point for Somalia. He thanked Turkey for its support and highlighted the significance of holding the conference in Istanbul, a city with a rich history and civilization.
Ahmed noted that leaders from various Somali factions, elders, intellectuals, civil society, and diaspora representatives attended the conference. He also expressed pleasure at the presence of the Somaliland president and delegation.
He acknowledged Prime Minister Erdoğan’s visit to Somalia, which allowed the world to witness the situation on the ground.
Somalia has always looked to Turkey with expectation, Ahmed said, praising Turkey’s response through both NGOs and political channels.
He called the conference “a new era for Somalia and a fresh start within the framework of international efforts.”
Ahmed also emphasized the ongoing military support from Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti, and stressed the importance of continuing military and security assistance to end terrorism.
He highlighted cooperation between the Somali transitional government, local actors, and international partners, expressing the desire for a transparent administrative structure with equitable distribution of national resources.
Ahmed concluded by reaffirming the need to oppose violence and arms in Somalia, calling for reconciliation and hopeful resolution of conflicts.
He expressed hope that all disagreements will be resolved soon and that a transparent democracy with equal responsibilities for all will be established.
Ahmed also shared plans to ensure representation of all Somali people in the new parliament, including a 30% quota for women — a first for Somalia.