MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s parliamentary speaker, Abdulqadir Mohamed Nur Jama, has called for stronger efforts to protect the country’s strategic partnership with Türkiye from misinformation and other threats to bilateral cooperation. Speaking at the opening of a discussion forum dedicated to the multifaceted relationship between Somalia and Türkiye, Jama issued an impassioned appeal for both nations to safeguard the trust and common purpose that have come to define their ties. He noted that the partnership, which had humble beginnings rooted in humanitarian assistance, has grown into a comprehensive alliance spanning diplomacy, economics and defence. The speaker acknowledged that the two countries have encountered a range of challenges and risks throughout the development of their relationship, and he stressed that each phase of cooperation has brought its own unique difficulties. Yet he insisted that the bond between Somalia and Türkiye remains strong, anchored in shared humanitarian values, Islamic brotherhood, and deep historical connections between the two peoples. His remarks come at a time when the Horn of Africa is increasingly shaped by shifting geopolitical alliances, external interventions, and an explosion of online information that can just as easily unite as divide.
The trajectory of Somali-Turkish relations offers a remarkable case study in how a bilateral relationship can evolve from emergency relief to strategic interdependence. Modern engagement accelerated dramatically in 2011, when Türkiye’s leadership, including then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, visited Mogadishu during the height of a devastating famine. That visit symbolised Türkiye’s willingness to engage directly with Somalia at a moment when many international actors had retreated due to security concerns. Türkiye opened one of its largest embassies in Africa in Mogadishu, provided humanitarian aid, funded hospitals, schools and infrastructure projects, and eventually expanded into training Somali police and military forces. Over the years, this partnership deepened through trade agreements, the management of Mogadishu’s port and airport by Turkish companies, and the construction of critical infrastructure such as roads and government buildings. In recent years, the two nations have elevated their cooperation to an explicitly strategic level, signing agreements on defence, maritime security, energy exploration, and economic collaboration. The relationship now encompasses everything from military drone transfers to naval capacity-building, and from oil and gas exploration in Somali waters to scholarships for Somali students in Turkish universities. It is this breadth and depth that Speaker Jama described as a strategic partnership — one that goes far beyond typical donor-recipient dynamics and represents a genuine alignment of interests and values between two brotherly nations.
However, the very success of this partnership has also made it a target. Jama warned that misleading information aimed at the interests of Somalia and Türkiye constitutes a major threat, one that could undermine the trust built through years of cooperation. He made clear that the two countries must be vigilant against narratives that seek to distort their intentions, sow doubt about the benefits of their collaboration, or exploit political and social fault lines. In the Horn of Africa, where external powers have historically competed for influence, disinformation campaigns have become an increasingly common tool. False stories about Turkish military bases, exaggerated claims about sovereignty being compromised, or misleading accounts of economic agreements have circulated online, often amplified by actors with no interest in the stability or prosperity of either nation. Such narratives can be especially dangerous because they tap into legitimate public concerns about sovereignty, resource control, and foreign influence. Jama’s warning reflects a broader recognition that information warfare has become a frontline in modern diplomacy, and that a partnership built on tangible results can still be eroded by persistent, targeted falsehoods. The speaker’s emphasis on the risk is not merely rhetorical; it points to the need for active measures to ensure that the public in both countries understands the real nature and benefits of the partnership.
A central element of Jama’s speech was his call for a renewed approach to media, particularly social media, which he described as now having a greater impact than traditional media in many areas. He acknowledged that online platforms have become the primary source of news and information for millions of people, especially young and urban populations. This shift presents both opportunities and dangers. On one hand, social media allows governments and citizens to communicate directly, bypassing traditional gatekeepers and reaching global audiences instantly. On the other hand, it also enables the rapid spread of misinformation, sensationalism, and inflammatory content. Jama therefore urged both countries to give social media greater priority in their media strategies, especially as Somalia and Türkiye seek to strengthen public understanding of their expanding partnership. This means not only countering false narratives but also proactively sharing positive stories, explaining agreements in accessible language, and engaging with online audiences in ways that build trust. For Somalia, where a youthful population is highly active on platforms like Facebook, TikTok and Twitter, the ability to communicate effectively in the digital space is critical. For Türkiye, which has developed a sophisticated media apparatus both domestically and internationally, there is much that can be shared with Somali partners. The speaker’s call suggests that the future of the relationship will be shaped not just in conference rooms and treaty texts, but in the digital public square where perceptions are formed and political support is mobilised.
The existing cooperation between Somalia and Türkiye already demonstrates how far the two countries have come. In the security sector, Türkiye has trained Somali army officers, provided military equipment, and helped establish institutions such as the Somali National Army’s special forces. Ankara has also supported the rebuilding of Mogadishu’s security infrastructure and has been a key partner in the fight against terrorist groups like Al-Shabaab. The defence relationship took on even greater significance after the signing of a maritime and defence cooperation agreement in 2024, which reportedly includes Turkish naval support for Somalia’s territorial waters. That agreement came amid tensions between Somalia and its neighbours, and it underscored Mogadishu’s reliance on Ankara as a strategic guarantor. In the economic realm, Turkish companies have been instrumental in modernising Mogadishu’s port and airport, generating revenue for the federal government and improving connectivity with the outside world. Infrastructure projects, from roads to hospitals, have visibly transformed parts of the capital and other regions. Development cooperation has also included extensive scholarship programmes that have allowed Somali students to study in Türkiye, building a new generation of leaders with close ties to their Turkish counterparts. In addition, energy exploration is emerging as a major area of potential cooperation, with Turkish companies reportedly involved in oil and gas ventures off Somalia’s coast. Each of these areas reinforces the others, creating a web of interdependence that is difficult to untangle and even harder to undermine. It is this mutually beneficial relationship that Speaker Jama believes must be protected from the corrosive effects of misinformation.
Jama concluded his remarks with an expression of confidence that the two governments and their “brotherly” peoples will be able to safeguard their shared interests and resist efforts by anyone seeking to undermine their cooperation. His optimism is rooted not only in the strength of institutional ties but also in the deep historical and cultural connections between Somalis and Turks, connections that predate the modern nation-state and have been renewed in the last decade. The discussion forum itself, which brought together policymakers, scholars and civil society representatives, was a symbol of that enduring relationship. While challenges remain — including the persistent threat of disinformation, the volatility of regional politics, and the enormous task of rebuilding Somalia’s institutions — the speaker’s message was clear: the partnership with Türkiye is too valuable to be left vulnerable to malicious narratives. By prioritising social media in media strategies, by actively countering misleading information, and by continuing to expand cooperation across security, defence, infrastructure, development and economics, both countries can ensure that their strategic partnership not only endures but thrives. As the Horn of Africa enters a new era of competition and opportunity, the Somali-Turkish alliance stands as a model of what can be achieved through mutual respect, shared values, and a common vision for peace and prosperity. The road ahead will require vigilance and effort, but Jama’s address to the forum in Mogadishu made clear that the foundations are strong and the political will is present to defend them against all threats.
