Turkish Parliament approves Somalia in-kind grant agreement

Saturday May 9, 2026

Somalia’s ambassador to Ankara, Fathudin Ali Mohamed, (C) attends the session on the bill at Parliament, Ankara, Türkiye, May 7, 2026. (AA Photo)

Turkey’s Parliament on Thursday gave its approval to an in-kind grant support agreement with Somalia, underscoring the deepening ties between Ankara and the Horn of Africa country as lawmakers pointed to a relationship that now spans trade, security and development.

The debate in the Turkish Parliament drew remarks from across the political spectrum, with deputies weighing Türkiye’s increasing footprint in Somalia, where it has emerged over the last decade as both a major investor and an influential strategic partner.

Cemalettin Kani Torun, a Bursa deputy from the New Path Party, said Turkish exports to Somalia had reached $273 million, while direct investments by Turkish companies had surpassed $100 million.

“These figures did not come about spontaneously,” Torun said. “These are the fruits of a long-term and multi-actor commitment.”

He pushed back against claims that Türkiye’s role in Somalia amounted to “guardianship” or colonialism, arguing instead that Ankara’s approach is built on mutual gain and “win-win” policies.

Torun also pointed to the strategic weight of the Horn of Africa, saying Türkiye’s presence in Somalia — from commerce to energy exploration — supports regional stability and helps limit outside meddling.

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) lawmaker Kamil Aydın said instability and piracy in and around Somalia and the Gulf of Aden had long endangered global shipping lanes and maritime commerce.

He noted that Türkiye has taken an active role under international agreements to back peace, security and economic progress in Somalia.

“With the mutual trust and cooperation gained, Türkiye has succeeded in taking very important bilateral, regional and global positive steps with Somalia,” Aydın said.

Opposition deputies raised broader concerns about Ankara’s foreign policy and its aid spending overseas. Good Party (IP) lawmaker Ayyüce Türkeş questioned the scale of Türkiye’s commitments abroad at a time of domestic economic strain.

By contrast, ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Deputy Group Chair Leyla Şahin Usta defended Türkiye’s Africa policy, describing it as one grounded in “friendship and brotherhood.”

“Türkiye is in Africa to build and repair,” Usta said, adding that cooperation with Somalia has reinforced local ownership and development across the continent.

The bill passed after the parliamentary discussions. Somalia’s ambassador to Ankara, Fathudin Ali Mohamed, was also present at the session.