Somalia reassures Turkey support, pledges close partnership

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The federal republic of Somalia will continue to work closely with the Turkish administration, President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo said, Wednesday, adding that the relationship between the two nations is on "another level" than before.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Farmajo, who joined Turkey in commemorating the fourth anniversary of the botched coup, said Mogadishu will work closely with Ankara to unlock their development potentials, which is key towards improving their respective economies.

The current Turkish administration survived a couple on July 15, 2016, and has since then stayed put, solving grievances advanced by disgruntled elements. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been in charge without much resistance since the attempt.

Farmajo hailed Tayyip for his "firm" leadership on behalf of Somalia, while remembering those who died during the clashes in Ankara. He thanked Turkish citizens for standing with the current administration during its "lowest" moments, terming those who died as martyrs.

“To our brotherly Republic of Turkey and H.E Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, on behalf of our nation and myself, we join you in prayers and remembrance of the selflessness of your martyrs and the deep resolve of your courageous citizens to protect your Republic. Our thoughts are with you," he said in a tweet.

Ankara celebrates the day in commemoration of those who died during the clashes and it remains one of those dates that are cherished by the current administration. Wreaths of flowers are laid in their graves within the capital where most of them were buried.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday was accompanied by civilian “veterans” who fought against the coup, laid a wreath at a memorial in the presidential complex in Ankara, and prayed for the victims, in a ceremony that lasted for several minutes.

Erdogan was ushering in a series of events to commemorate the crushing of the coup, including one at parliament. Attendees were wearing masks as the event took place amid the COVID-19 pandemic

During the fateful day on July 15, 2016, a small military junta, formed by FETÖ members, tried to overthrow the democratically elected government and assassinate Erdoğan, who was on holiday in the Marmaris district of southwestern Muğla province, a move which caught many government officials by surprise.

The coup plotters, who used heavy weaponry, including fighter jets, helicopters and tanks, against pro-democracy citizens that poured onto streets, killed 251 people and wounded nearly 2,200 before they were crushed by loyal forces.

Ankara is one of close development partner of Mogadishu, a move which has often put it on Al-Shabaab's "black book". Besides supporting infrastructural development projects, the European nation has often chipped in during emergencies including but not limited to COVID-19 pandemic.

Turkey also trains elite Gorgor troops and the Haram'ad police officers as Somalia strives to rebuild its security forces. Al-Shabaab has often retaliated against the Turkish including in the most recent incident in Mogadishu, where a suicide bomber tried to run into a Turkish-run military base but was shot before the explosion.

Last year, an Al-Shabaab suicide bomber also targeted a Turkish convoy in Mogadishu leading to the death of over 90 people. While regretting the loss of civilians, the Al-Shabaab confirmed that they were targeting Turkish engineers, in an attack which claimed lives to two Turkish nationals.

Somalia is struggling with the effects of inter-clan conflicts and Al-Shabaab menace, which have often threatened the establishment of a stable government. Turkey also runs first-class hospitals in Mogadishu besides hosting dozens of refugees who fled the country during the civil war in the 90s.

GAROWE ONLINE