Somalia honors Türkiye for ‘Unwavering Support’

Somalia on Thursday expressed its appreciation for Türkiye’s continued support and strong diplomatic ties, recognizing the contributions of Turkish officials and organizations that have played key roles in the country.

At a ceremony held in Mogadishu, the Somali National Disaster Management Agency (SoDMA) honored Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Alper Aktas and Serif Simsek, Director of Turkish Red Crescent Somalia, with certificates of recognition. Both were acknowledged for their significant services to Somalia.

In a statement released by SoDMA, Mohamud Moalim, the head of the agency, conveyed the country’s gratitude for Türkiye’s assistance, noting the “unwavering support” from both the Turkish government and its people. Moalim highlighted Türkiye’s efforts in strengthening diplomatic relations and delivering crucial aid to the Horn of Africa nation.

Earlier this month, Türkiye facilitated a training program for approximately 200 staff members of the Somali National Disaster Management Agency. The month-long initiative took place at Mogadishu Somali Türkiye Training and Research Hospital, commonly known as Erdogan Hospital, located in the capital.

Türkiye remains one of Somalia’s closest allies, investing heavily in the country’s education, infrastructure, and healthcare sectors while also providing significant humanitarian aid. In addition, Türkiye operates the largest overseas military facility in Mogadishu, which is used to train the Somali National Army.