Turkish ambassador meets former Somali President Farmaajo in Mogadishu

Mogadishu (HOL) — Türkiye’s ambassador to Somalia met former President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo in Mogadishu on Monday as part of a series of introductory meetings with Somali political leaders.

Ambassador Ferhat Alkan and Farmaajo reviewed recent political developments in Somalia, the evolution of Türkiye-Somalia relations and regional and global issues affecting the wider geopolitical environment, according to the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu.

Alkan thanked Farmaajo for what the embassy described as a constructive exchange and for his hospitality.

The meeting forms part of Alkan’s courtesy visits since taking up his post as Türkiye’s ambassador to Somalia on Sept. 21. He previously served as Ankara’s ambassador to Mozambique.

Since arriving in Mogadishu, Alkan has also met senior federal officials, including Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and Petroleum Minister Dahir Shire Mohamed, as Türkiye seeks to deepen cooperation with Somalia across security, energy, infrastructure and other sectors.

Farmaajo, Somalia’s president from 2017 to 2022, remains an active opposition figure and is the presidential candidate of the Nabad iyo Nolol party.

His meeting with Alkan comes amid a continuing political dispute between the federal government and opposition groups over constitutional changes and the framework for Somalia’s next national elections.

Türkiye has maintained one of its closest African partnerships with Somalia for more than a decade, with cooperation spanning military training, development assistance, infrastructure, health and, increasingly, offshore oil and gas exploration. Alkan has said Ankara remains committed to supporting Somalia in security, development and institutional capacity-building.