Turkey is mediating between Somalia’s government and the
militant Al-Shabaab group to help bring an end to the years-long
conflict in the Horn of Africa nation.
“Through the years, Turkey, the only Muslim member in NATO, and
Somalia have maintained a pleasant relationship,” Abdihakim Aynte, an
independent Somali researcher, said.
He said Ankara has notable advantages in mediating between the Somali rivals to end the bloody conflict.
Turkey has spearheaded efforts to provide aid to millions of Somalis ravaged by the years-long conflict in their country.
Last year, Ankara contributed $201 million to the humanitarian relief
efforts to help Somalis affected by a severe drought in the Horn of
Africa.
Many Somalis consider Turkey as their only “true Muslim friend”,
citing a visit by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyib Erdogan during
last year’s drought and the resulting famine.
Besides sharing the same Islamic values, Turkey is also viewed as a
country that lacks local proxies or other incentives to meddle in the
internal politics of Somalia.
Aynte opines that Turkey could succeed in mediating between the
government and Al-Shabaab militants to help resolve the conflict.
Turkish foreign minister Ahmet Davtutoglu has recently outlined
Turkey’s interest in meditating between conflicting factions in Somalia.
“Despite our advantage and special relation with Somalis of all
stripes, Turkey would play a role in mediating conflicting parties in
Somalia.”
Somalia has sunk into abyss over the deadly fighting between
government troops and militants of Al-Qaeda-inspired Al-Shabaab
militants.
The conflict has escalated after neighboring Kenya and Ethiopia sent troops into Somalia to help hunt Al-Shabaab militants.
Nation Rebuilding
Analysts opine that Turkey’s mediation could possibly prove to be a
catalyst for the rebuilding of Somalia, a country divided along clan
lines.
Aynte said Turkey is rebuilding the social fabrics in Somalia by
reconstructing roads, airports, hospitals for the people’s wellbeing and
paving the way for political resettlement.
The analyst listed a number of projects championed by Turkey in the war-torn country.
Up to 1,000 students have been granted full scholarships in different fields in Turkey, he said.
Schools that teach the Turkish language have also opened up in
Somalia in addition to providing aid to nearly 15,000 displaced Somalis
by the Turkish Red Crescent.
Turkey has also reconstructed a major hospital and outpatient clinic
which are serving nearly three million Somalis from Mogadishu and other
remote areas.
Aynte said the net effect of Turkey’s contribution to the impoverished country of Somalia is mind-boggling.
Somalia has lacked an effective government since the ouster of former president Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991.
More than 14 attempts to restore a functional government have since failed.