Somalia: Comparing Assistance from Turkey and the UAE

 The Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs at the Air University (Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama) published on 1 June 2022 a study titled "Middle-Power Aid Rivalry in the Horn of Africa: A Comparative Study of Emirati and Turkish Foreign Aid Policy in Somalia" by Fabio van Loon.  

The article demonstrates the radically different approaches to aid in Somalia by Turkey and the UAE.  Turkey is spreading a Turkish form of political Islam that has sparked competition with the UAE, which seeks to contain the spread of political Islam.  

Turkey's Engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa

London-based Chatham House published in September 2015 my research paper titled "Turkey's Engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa: Shifting Alliances and Strategic Diversification."  The paper analyzes all aspects of the rapidly expanding relationship between Turkey and Sub-Saharan Africa.  In view of the numerous challenges facing Turkey, however, the paper suggests that Ankara over the short-term may become more insular and be less focused on expanding its efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Today's Zaman, a Gulen-affiliated daily in Istanbul, published on 22 October 2015 an article titled "Report Reveals Repercussions of AK Party Fight against Gulen Movement in Africa" that drew from the Chatham House report.  Only a small section of the Chatham House report deals with the Gulen Movement; most of it concerns Turkey's relations with Sub-Saharan Africa.   

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.