President of the East Africa Scientific Research and Development Association (DAD), Prof. Ali Sheikh Ahmed, stated that many Somali families today consider Türkiye the most suitable country for residency, even preferring it over Europe or the United States.
During a visit to Anadolu Agency, Sheikh Ahmed shared insights into Somalia–Türkiye relations, emphasizing DAD’s goal of building cultural and commercial ties between Türkiye and the capitals of seven East African nations: Asmara, Djibouti, Mogadishu, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Kampala, and Addis Ababa.
He announced plans to organize the first self-funded Somali conference in Türkiye, a task previously supported financially by the Turkish government.
Africans Trust Türkiye
Highlighting improvements in Somalia over the last two years, Sheikh Ahmed noted growing recognition among Africans of Türkiye as a true partner. “Africans are beginning to understand that Turks are their brothers. Unlike many Western countries, Türkiye seeks success not only for itself but also for Africa,” he said.
Turkish Products Preferred in East Africa
Sheikh Ahmed praised Turkish products as the best in the region, superior in quality and affordability compared to Chinese, Japanese, or German alternatives. He encouraged African traders to engage with Türkiye instead of China, noting that trade with Türkiye supports both Somalia’s development and Türkiye’s own investments in the region.
Strengthening Academic and Humanitarian Ties
Despite being a young institution, DAD has opened offices in Ankara and Istanbul. Sheikh Ahmed outlined plans for a major conference involving at least 20 Turkish and Somali academics, along with representatives from education, research, humanitarian, and economic sectors.
He said the conference would focus on key themes such as development, humanitarian aid, and collaboration between Turks and Somalis living abroad. With around 3 million Somalis living in the diaspora across Europe, the U.S., and Australia, the event aims to deepen awareness of Türkiye as a safe and welcoming country.
“Turkish Projects Are Unlike Any Other”
Sheikh Ahmed highlighted Türkiye’s high-value investments in Somalia, including projects in agriculture, maritime resources, trade, industry, scientific research, education, and security. “The projects Türkiye has implemented in Somalia are seen as honest and reliable,” he said.
He praised the uniqueness of Turkish initiatives: “The seriousness, speed, and objectives of Türkiye’s projects distinguish them from any other. Türkiye’s presence in Somalia is not only visible—it’s meaningful.”
He also shared that Mogadishu University plans to establish a Department of Turkology soon.
Deep Roots of Turkish-Somali Relations
“President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan brought with him a symbolic ‘miniature Türkiye’ when he visited Somalia in 2011 with artists, businesspeople, and family members,” Sheikh Ahmed said. “Now, Somalia has many streets named after Turkish cities like Istanbul and Ankara.”
He emphasized the strength of the bilateral relationship: “Somalia is home to the largest Turkish embassy in the world and the largest hospital in East Africa—the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Training and Research Hospital. Türkiye also operates the largest Turkish military training base on the coast.”
More than 3,000 Somali students are currently studying in Turkish universities.
Türkiye in Somali Culture and Identity
“Thousands of Somalis carry Turkish names,” Sheikh Ahmed noted. “Istanbul is deeply ingrained in the Somali consciousness—on par with Mecca and Medina. These names, dating back to the Ottoman era, are now part of Somali identity.”
Having studied Islamic communities for a decade in Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ahmed said he named his first son Muhammed Fatih after Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, following a lecture he gave on Ottoman history.
Somalia Becoming More Stable
On current developments in Somalia, Sheikh Ahmed said, “The country is now more stable. Security issues remain, but the situation is gradually improving, and foreign investments, including from Turkish companies, are increasing.”
He added that the terrorist group Al-Shabaab no longer controls territory but moves between villages—making this the most secure period in 30 years.
He concluded by noting the importance of the constitutional process in Somalia, which began with a conference involving 4,000 tribal elders in Djibouti. “We emphasized the need for a democratic cycle of authority: a president should serve for four years and then step down. That’s the direction we’re moving toward,” he said.