Mogadishu (Anadolu Agency) — A citywide cleaning campaign launched two months ago in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, with the support of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, is beginning to show significant results.
The project, implemented by Turkish officials, is transforming Mogadishu’s streets—once overwhelmed by piles of garbage—into cleaner, more livable spaces.
In a press statement, Mogadishu Mayor Mohamed Mahmoud Nur expressed gratitude, noting that thanks to the efforts of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Mogadishu is on a path toward gaining the qualities of a modern world capital.
Mayor Nur explained that Istanbul provided extensive equipment and vehicle support for the waste collection initiative, including trucks and garbage collection vehicles, to help remove debris from the civil war, restaurant waste, and other accumulated refuse.
Uweys Seydu, a worker involved in the campaign, said, “The appearance of the capital has started to improve. The removal of mountains of garbage has helped reopen roads that were previously blocked by waste.”
Seydu noted that the benefits of the voluntary cleanup campaign are becoming visible throughout the city.
Activist Hatice Ahmed observed that many areas once filled with trash have now become usable public spaces. She highlighted the campaign’s importance in preventing the spread of disease.
Calling on the public to join the campaign, Ahmed said it represents the only hope for Mogadishu to regain its former beauty.
