TURKEY THROUGH BRIBES AND COMPROMISED POLITICIANS COLONIZES SOMALIA AND DOMINATES ITS WAY INTO A MAJOR POLITICAL DECISION-MAKER AND OWNER OF KEY ECONOMIC SECTORS

Erdogan’s kiss of death: How treacherous Turkey came to the aid of starving southern Somalia only to colonize, compromise its politicians, dominate economically and politically, and then transfer Somalia seas and Blue Economy wholesale to Ethiopia, one of Turkey’s largest trading partners in Africa

In 2011, Turkey’s engagement in Somalia began with a landmark visit by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, signaling a new era of bilateral cooperation. Turkey quickly positioned itself as a key player in Somalia’s reconstruction and humanitarian aid, but behind the façade of aid and economic partnership, allegations of conflict of interest, political interference, and monopolization of Mogadishu’s key economic sectors emerged.

Shortly after Erdoğan’s visit, Turkish conglomerates secured exclusive long-term contracts to operate critical infrastructure in the capital Mogadishu. Albayrak Group, a company owned by six brothers with deep ties to President Erdoğan and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), was awarded a 30-year contract to manage Mogadishu’s port. Similarly, Favori LLC, closely linked to Erdogan, secured the rights to manage Aden Adde International Airport and its adjacent Décalé Airport Hotel.

As reported by Middle East Forum, the “Turkish company controversially awarded the management of Somalia’s international airport through a questionable contract and seemingly involving Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long been shielded from scrutiny despite facing allegations of corruption, labor exploitation, sexual harassment and abuse of authority.”

The Middle East Forum just couple of days ago also reported that “Favori, managed by the Kozuva family, had no prior experience in airport management before being generously awarded a 20-year contract to operate the Mogadishu airport. Based in Turkey’s industrial city of Çerkezköy, the family has cultivated close ties with President Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) over the years.”

All these contracts were awarded to Turkey during the first administration of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and effectively barred other international companies from competing for better deals, raising concerns about the role of President Erdogan and transparency and fairness in contracting.

Next came the controversial licensing of Ziraat Katılım Bankası, Turkey’s first state-owned Islamic bank, which operates as a subsidiary of T.C. Ziraat Bankası A.Ş., owned by the Türkiye Wealth Fund. After former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo’s administration refused to grant the bank a license, the decision was reversed within a month of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud being reelected. Somali banks complained that the entry of Ziraat Bank, with its global reach and resources, poses an existential threat to Somalia’s private banks that lack the capacity to compete. Compounding these fears is the absence of regulatory oversight of the bank’s activities, raising concerns about financial transparency and accountability.

IVORY COAST DECOLONIZES AND OUSTS FRENCH MILITARY BUT SOMALIA HAPPILY WELCOMES TURKISH COLONIZATION AND TAKEOVER OF KEY ECONOMIC SECTORS

Compromised Somalia leaders put up everything for sale for their new Turkish colonizers that they refer to as “our…https://t.co/WjPRjkg4xR

— Daljir Media (@radiodaljir) January 1, 2025

UNDUE TURKISH INFLUENCE ON THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE

It is alleged that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has benefited from Turkish largesse during his years out of office (2017–2022), with Turkey allegedly covering housing and living expenses for him and his family. Furthermore, prominent Somali politicians, key ministers, parliamentarians, tribal elders, and other influential figures reportedly receive regular payments from the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu. These payments have raised serious alarms about Turkey’s ability of buying political loyalty and stifling of any dissent against its projects and policies in Somalia. An unnamed politician told Daljir, “Turkey asks and gets whatever it wants from the Federal Government without any pushback or even a slight bargain.”

SOMALIA HAPPILY WELCOMES TURKISH COLONIZATION AND TAKEOVER OF KEY ECONOMIC SECTORS

With West Africa slowly one country after the other closing Western military bases and regaining control of their natural resources, Somalia, on the other hand as one of the richest countries in… pic.twitter.com/1OeHGdwGZ6

— Daljir Media (@radiodaljir) January 1, 2025

Some Somali politicians are closer to Turkiye than others and one of them who doesn’t hide his loyalty to Turkey and President Erdogan is Somalia Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur (a/k/a Minister TikTok). Well-known for his incompetence, continuous travels to Turkey, an his close ties to Turkish intelligence, President Hassan Sheikh reappointed him as Somalia’s Defense Minister underscoring Ankara’s influence and push in Mogadishu. Sources close to President Hassan Sheikh have confirmed to Daljir that “his reappointment was at Turkey’s behest,” of course highlighting the extent of its sway in critical government appointments and decision making.

Turkey’s diplomatic footprint in Somalia has also expanded to controversial land acquisitions, often bypassing parliamentary oversight and due process. High-value properties, including the Marine High School, Banadir Secondary School, Digfeer Hospital, and other publicly owned properties, have reportedly been transferred to Turkish entities with the backing of Villa Somalia. Critics allege that these transfers serve Turkey’s business and strategic interests rather than Somalia’s developmental needs. Worse yet, all these high value economic sectors that were Somali public institutions are immediately turned into a profit-making private businesses owned by Turkish citizens with close ties to President Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

HOW DO SOMALI POLITICIANS GET BRIBED AND INFLUENCE BOUGHT?

The Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu reportedly maintains a substantial USD cash reserve in the millions and uses it to suppress criticism and buy support for any and all Turkish initiatives. This financial leverage explains why public criticism of Turkish activities in Somalia are rare, if any. In January 2024, Somali Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament approved a controversial security agreement with Turkey without even reviewing its contents. One MP who publicly questioned Turkey’s actions, including the so-called Ankara Agreement, faced significant backlash, illustrating the risks of opposing Ankara’s influence.

Turkey’s growing role in Somalia raises questions about sovereignty, transparency, and governance. While Turkish investments and aid may have contributed to the rebuilding of Somalia’s infrastructure, the exclusive contracts, lack of oversight, and political interference suggest a deeper agenda. The long-term monopolization of key sectors and unchecked political influence could undermine Somalia’s ability to develop an independent and self-sufficient economy.

As Somali voices increasingly call for accountability, it remains to be seen whether the government will prioritize national interests over foreign influence—or continue down a path that some see as compromising the country’s sovereignty. The Ankara Declaration which most Somalis believe infringes on national sovereignty is an example of Turkey’s pull in Somalia decision-making where no one dares, even President Hassan Sheikh, to say no to Turkey and Erdogan.

We have approached many Federal Government of Somalia MPs but none of them would go on record and discuss how Turkish policies are undermining the country’s economic development and national sovereignty. However, one exception is MP Abdullahi Hashi Abib.

As Africa continues its quest for full decolonization and countries assert their sovereignty, one Somali lawmaker has raised the alarm over what he described as a modern form of exploitation. MP Abdillahi Hashi Abib, a prominent member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and known for his outspoken nationalist views, has called for urgent accountability and transparency in all agreements between Somalia and Turkey.

IS TURKEY’S ONE-SIDED SUPPORT TO ETHIOPIA DETRIMENTAL TO SOMALIA SOVEREIGNITY?

After the Syrian experience, Somali MP @MPDrAbib thinks so. In an open letter to President Erdogan of Turkey, MP Abib writes, “Let me be unequivocally clear: Somalia’s sovereignty is not for sale, not… https://t.co/WqK3VK7Uwg

— Daljir Media (@radiodaljir) December 31, 2024

Speaking to Daljir with a sense of urgency, MP Abib highlighted the glaring economic disparity between the two nations. He noted that Somalia imports goods worth an estimated $450 million annually from Turkey, while its exports to the same country amount to a mere $20,000 – a staggering trade imbalance that he argues reflects deeper structural inequalities.

MP Abib emphasized, “Somalia can’t continue to be a dumping ground for foreign goods while our own industries languish.”  On the current state of relations between Somalia and Turkey, MP Abib declared, “This is not a partnership; it is a one-sided relationship that undermines our national and economic sovereignty.”

Beyond the economic imbalance, MP Abib expressed grave concerns about Turkey’s geopolitical motives in the Horn of Africa. He admits that while Turkey may have played a visible role in Somalia’s reconstruction and development, these efforts must not come at the expense of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Somalia is not up for sale to any nation, regardless of their power or investment in our country,” he stated firmly. MP Abib pointed out that foreign partnerships must prioritize Somalia’s long-term development and self-reliance, rather than fostering dependency or undermining the nation’s autonomy.

With every Somali now questioning why a single agreement with Turkey or Erdogan-affiliated business has yet to be brought before the parliament, impassioned MP Abib called for all agreements between Somalia and Turkey be made public. He argued that transparency is critical to ensuring that these deals benefit the Somali people rather than a select group of corrupt officials.

MP Abib tells Daljir, “It is time for the Somali government to put its people first. The nation’s resources and future must be safeguarded from exploitative deals that only serve foreign interests. Turkey cannot be our colonial master. Somalia is for the Somali people – period.”

MP Abib’s stance reflects a growing unease among Somali citizens who question the true cost of foreign involvement in their country. While he may be the only MP who publicly calls out Turkey’s colonial-like relations with Somalia, Somali public is now for the first time calling for transparency, accountability, and a balanced approach to relations with Turkey.

As public debate around Turkey’s role in Somalia intensifies, and Somalia’s former public institutions like Digfeer Hospital, and the Mogadishu airport and seaport now turn into cash cows for a select group of Turkish individuals with close ties to President Erdogan and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), MP Abib’s voice serves as a rallying cry for those who believe that the nation’s sovereignty must remain non-negotiable and transfer of public property to private Turkish individuals be held to account.

Contributed to by Daljir staff in Mogadishu, Garoowe and Nairobi