Turkey’s parliament has approved a grant-in-kind support agreement with Somalia, with lawmakers expressing their support for Ankara’s expanding economic, security and development cooperation with Somalia.
During the debates in the Turkish parliament during the approval of the agreement, lawmakers from across the political spectrum discussed Turkey’s growing role in Somalia, where Ankara has become the country’s largest investor and strategic partner over the past decades.
Bursa MP Cemalettin Kani Torun from the New Path Party said that Turkey’s exports to Somalia have reached $273 million, while direct investment by Turkish companies has exceeded $100 million.
“These figures did not come about by themselves,” Torun said. “They are the fruits of long-term, multifaceted efforts.”
Torun rejected accusations that Turkey’s intervention in Somalia was related to “arms-length” or colonialism, saying Ankara’s relations with Mogadishu were based on mutual interests and shared success.
He also noted the growing importance of the Horn of Africa, arguing that Turkey’s activities in Somalia, from trade to energy exploration, were contributing to regional stability and reducing foreign interference.
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) lawmaker Kamil Aydın said that instability and piracy in Somalia and the Gulf of Aden had long been a threat to shipping lanes and international trade.
Aydın said Turkey had played an active role in international agreements supporting Somalia’s peace, security and economic development.
“Turkey has succeeded in taking important bilateral, regional and international steps with Somalia,” Aydın said.
Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers criticized parts of Ankara’s foreign policy and foreign aid spending, with MP Ayyüce Türkeş of the Good Party (IP) questioning Turkey’s support pledges at a time when the country is facing economic challenges at home.
The deputy chairwoman of the ruling AK Party’s parliamentary group, Leyla Şahin Usta, defended Turkey’s Africa policy, describing it as one based on “friendship and brotherhood.”
“Turkey is here for Africa to build and rebuild,” Usta said, adding that cooperation with Somalia has strengthened development and local ownership on the continent.
The agreement was finally approved after parliamentary debate, and the session was also attended by Somalia’s ambassador to Ankara, Fathudin Ali Mohamed.
