​Somalia: Puntland President meets with Turkish Ambassador in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia- The President of semi-autonomous region of Puntland, Abdiwali Mohamed Ali “Gaas” has met with the Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Oglan Bakar in Mogadishu on Saturday, Garowe Online reports.

Chief of Staff Abdinasir Bihi Soofe was accompanying President Ali during the meeting with Bakar which took place at the Turkish embassy in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

According to sources, both sides focused on ways to boost bilateral ties, drought, security, training the national and talked about previous pledges made by Turkish government to Puntland state.

President Ali highlighted about the worsening drought conditions in Puntland region and requested for an immediate humanitarian assistance from Turkey to avert looming famine crisis.

Additionally, Ali requested the Turkish government to implement development projects in Puntland, and help rebuild the national army, in a bid to strength relations between the two sides.

For his part, Turkish Ambassador has stated that an assessment team will conduct a field visit to Puntland to closely assess the situation in drought-stricken areas and the basic needs of the people.

There has been previous meetings between President Ali and Bakar in Mogadishu, and coincides amid ongoing conference between leaders of the Federal government and regional administration in the capital.

GAROWEONLINE