Friday, March 27, 2015

Turkey's Focus on Somalia

Daily Sabah published on 22 March 2015 a summary titled "Turkish Model in Somalia Focus of Daily Sabah's London Panel" of a discussion on Turkey-Somalia relations held at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.

The panelists commented that Turkey is especially appreciated in Somalia because its involvement is based on business and not counterterrorism or engagement in local politics.  Turkey also takes risks that other countries are unwilling to take.  Finally, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken a personal interest in the relationship. 

The Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research published in October 2014 a major study titled "Turkey's Involvement in Somalia: Assessment of a State-Building in Progress" by Mehmet Ozkan, who described Somalia as "a novelty" in Turkish foreign policy.