Türkiye’s Ambassador to Mogadishu, Olgan Bekar, stated that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s historic visit to Mogadishu on August 19, 2011, changed Somalia’s fate of abandonment and revived hope among its people.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Ambassador Bekar, who has served in Somalia’s capital for four years, discussed Türkiye’s long-standing contributions to the country’s recovery. He emphasized that since 2011, Türkiye has supported Somalia’s development through humanitarian aid and projects in education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure.
“Our goal is human-centered development”
“Our aim is to support human development and help our Somali brothers and sisters return to a normal daily life,” Bekar said. He noted that these efforts are carried out not only by public institutions but also in collaboration with NGOs, forming a public-private partnership model in Türkiye’s approach to Somalia.
A Visit That Changed Somalia’s Destiny
“With the visit of our President to Mogadishu on August 19, 2011, the country’s destiny of being forgotten was reversed. Hope was rekindled among the Somali people. They began to believe they were not forgotten and could return to a normal life. That light still shines,” Bekar stated.
Highlighting the most significant change in Somalia over the past four years, Bekar pointed to a shift in people’s outlook on life: “Somalis are now more hopeful. You can see it clearly in the streets of Mogadishu. Areas that were once inaccessible due to security and sanitation issues are now livable. With support from Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Turkish Red Crescent, and other organizations, we’ve helped restore this city. The problems aren’t over, but the atmosphere has changed. There’s life in the city at night. People are reclaiming their lives — and that’s our goal.”
“Our Efforts Will Continue”
Bekar emphasized that Somalia’s core problem stems from the collapse of the state after the 1991 civil war. “Rebuilding state institutions and restoring public services is our priority. It’s a complex process that requires coordinated efforts from many actors in the field. It will take time, but we are working across various sectors — humanitarian aid, economic development, education, health, politics, and security — to support our Somali brothers and sisters,” he said.
He also noted that the United Nations has increased its presence in Somalia following President Erdoğan’s visit in 2011, which paved the way for international engagement: “The UN, through its various agencies, is trying to contribute constructively. This is encouraging, as the ultimate goal is to solve the Somali people’s daily challenges.”
“Training the Backbone of Somalia’s Army”
Ambassador Bekar highlighted the importance of Türkiye’s role in military training through the Türkiye-Somalia Task Force Command in Mogadishu: “This is not a military base as often misreported, but a joint training facility managed with Somalia. It provides officer, non-commissioned officer, and soldier training — the first of its kind in the country. Graduates will form the backbone of the Somali army.”
He added, “We complete unit training every three months. The Somali public trusts Türkiye, and they support our role in the security sector.”
“Without Türkiye, Somalia Would Still Be Forgotten”
Somalis remain deeply appreciative of Türkiye’s efforts, especially those initiated after President Erdoğan’s 2011 visit. “They often tell us, ‘If it weren’t for you, Somalia would still be a forgotten country. We would still be struggling to survive. Thanks to you, we’ve reached this point,’” Bekar said.
He recalled the devastating terrorist attack in Mogadishu on October 14, 2017, which claimed over 500 lives. “Türkiye was the first country to respond. A military aircraft arrived the very next day to evacuate the wounded. Then, Health Minister Ahmet Demircan visited Mogadishu, met with officials, and checked on the injured.”
“Türkiye is Our True Brother”
“Somalis say, ‘Türkiye is our true brother. Whenever we are in trouble, Türkiye is the first to help.’ When Türkiye takes action, other countries and international organizations follow,” Bekar noted.
He added that the Somali community in Türkiye is growing and well-integrated: “Somalis who visit Türkiye are very satisfied. They experience no discrimination. Many even wish to relocate their families to Türkiye. We must manage this growth carefully.”
“The bond between the Turkish and Somali people is real — not just in Mogadishu or Ankara, but also across the diaspora. Representatives of the Somali communities in the UK, US, and Canada regularly express their gratitude to our missions. The relationship we’ve built over the past seven years, rooted in shared history, will continue for many years to come.”