Abdinasir Ali Mohamed
Sunday September 20, 2026
In April and May 2026, the formal mandates of Somalia’s Federal Parliament and the Presidency respectively came to an end. To avoid a constitutional vacuum, the parliament passed a resolution to extend both its mandate and the presidential term by one year. However, opposition coalitions vehemently opposed it. What followed was a period of uncertainty, including brief public protests and attempts to spill political tensions into the streets. This deeply shocked the public, who had rightly hoped the era of settling political disputes through violence was long behind them.
Political differences over election models are internal Somali affairs. In diplomatic terms, one could conveniently call it a contest over ‘modalities’, ‘procedures’ and leadership at Villa Somalia. However, in times of such political conflict over a position of national leadership, the political theatre and the dynamics between the parties become critical to observe.
However, others choose a path of immediate results and lose sight of the long-term goal. Those who choose this path often broaden their line of attack, throwing accusations not just at political rivals, but also at international allies, hoping to create enough diplomatic noise to compel external intervention.
While the second strategy may draw immediate international attention, it is a gamble with the nation's long-term future. Strategic allies and potential investors observe the behaviour of a society's political class looking for maturity, foresight, and responsibility. International relations are built on the confidence that a nation’s elite, irrespective of who is in power, will place core national interests before short-term partisan gains.
Putting aside partisan interests and emotions, few of Somalia’s international partners hold a position as historic, visible, transformative, and deeply felt as Türkiye. Türkiye’s role in Somalia’s development has been monumental. Before 2011, much of the international community treated Somalia through a lens of risk containment and abandonment. However, that changed when President (then Prime Minister) Erdoğan made a landmark visit to Mogadishu in August 2011 alongside his family, cabinet, and business leaders. That was a bold act of humanitarian, political, and economic leadership that forced the world to re-engage with Somalia.
Since that historic visit, the impact of Türkiye’s support has been undeniable across multiple sectors of Somali society:
Security: Somalia’s largest police and military academy was fully funded, built and operated by Turkish security experts, training and equipping thousands of elite units of the Somali Police Force and the National Army, supporting the nation’s security.
Healthcare and Infrastructure: The reconstruction of tarmac roads and the establishment of modern medical facilities including the world-class University of Health Science, the Erdoğan General Hospital, and the specialised mother-and-child Yardimeli Hospital in Mogadishu are some of the major examples of critical infrastructure that have saved thousands of Somali lives and raised public healthcare standards.
Education & Youth: Similarly, Somali students from across the country have benefited from fully funded scholarships at elite Turkish public and private universities to assist the rebuilding of national institutions.
This is not to say that other partners have not undertaken vital development projects in Somalia. Indeed, many have done commendable work, coming forward in the wake of Türkiye’s initial leadership. Yet few partnerships have proven as visible and deeply felt as Türkiye's.
Türkiye’s relationship with Somalia is built on massive sacrifices and state-building support. It is not and should never be labelled as an arrangement with the incumbent. During the previous administration, similar accusations were levelled at the State of Qatar, a major partner of Somalia. Just as Qatar’s brotherly relationships survived the electoral crisis of 2022, the Somali-Turkish bond must not only prevail, but also deepen above and beyond the current noise in line with Somalia’s traditional values of protecting ties with friends, neighbours and allies, and keeping disputes to concerned parties.
The spirit of friendship and confining differences to relevant parties is embodied in the wisdom of the famous Somali poet Abwaan Maxamed Xaashi Dhamac "Gaarriye". While the English translation may convey the meaning of the words, the soul of the poem remains in its original Somali language.
- Waxaa Geed Lala Kacaa, (You should rise in a council only)
- Gankaad Tahay Erey La Da’ Ah, (for a word that matches your true stature)
- Gefkana Bashar Baad U Tahee, (You are simply a human to err)
- Hadaad Ka Garowdo Khalad, (Yet to acknowledge a fault you made)
- Gob Bay Caadadeeda Tahay (is the practice of the noble one)
- Waxaan Godobtiisu Hadhin (yet a lasting grievance is left)
- Gar Aad Leedahuu Ogyahay (by he who knows the justice you are owed)
- Nin Kaaga Masuugay Gole. (yet stingily denies you in a council of justice)
- Haddaad Gorod Diidan Tahay (if you disagree with Gorod)
- Ku Koob Dirirtaada Gorod (confine your attacks to Gorod)
- Afkaagana Godob Ka Dhowr (guard your tongue from causing grievance ‘to the relationships’)
- Mar Baa Jirta Gumuc La Riday (for a bullet fired recklessly)
- Gelaaftaa Ninkii Ridee (strikes the very one who fired it)
- Nin iin Lahow Daa’ Gujada (therefore, let him who carries flaws stop poking others).
Attacking Türkiye’s role in Somalia, the very ally who stepped forward during Somalia's hour of greatest need, does not weaken a local political rival; it weakens the Somali nation as a whole. True diplomacy requires leaders to match their words to their true weight and stature and show the Somali public and the world at large that when national security, stability, historic and strategic friendships are on the line, Somali politicians can rise above partisan instincts. Until then, Somali intellectuals and the public at large know exactly who is a true ally and who is merely an actor.
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Abdinasir Ali Mohamed
[email protected]
