Despite elections in Somalia, Turkey has a strong presence in the country. Why?

With its constant engagement in Somalia, Turkey has made it clear that it does not want to loosen its influence on the African land. It all started with the first visit of the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Somali in 2011. 

Reports had already revealed that Turkey has ulterior motives in Somalia but it further became even more evident with Ankara’s backing of government forces of Gurgur with Dervish forces of Jubaland on January 25. This month itself Somalian state had opened its borders for foreign countries to explore oil companies. 

It gives the agreement between Somalia and Turkey that happened a year ago a formalized approach. The agreement than had allowed Turkey oil companies to explore Somali waters. After this agreement, in November last year, Turkey willingly paid about $3.4 million of Somalia’s debt to the International Monetary Fund. 

The expansion of Turkish companies in Somalia was not a sudden move; rather it took nearly ten years for Turkey to fully gain influence on the Somali population. The last ten years saw the aid stations set up by the Turkish official change into companies that were shifted to important ports in Mogadishu and Adam Adi International airport in the capital. 

But this time Turkey is entering Somalia with a stronger political motive as well as backing. It is no more restricted to financial aspects and now is heavily influencing the political arena of the African nation. Through these measures, it aims to expand its reach and establish itself as a leader among the Islamic or non-Western world and rule them. 

This time Turkey is no more concerned about itself but is planning to bring Qatar into the African land currently governed by Farmaajo. It plans to set up an authoritarian system that will be leaning toward the alliance with Qatar. As of now, Ankara is using Somalia majorly for its forces that will help it have control over the internal affairs of the country. 

There are two military forces involved, one is called Hamad that has nearly a thousand soldiers while the other is Gregor, which is a special military force that has close to 5,000 troops under its umbrella. All of the military forces are being trained by Ankara and other than this, Ankara is also reportedly supplying arms and ammunition to the Somali forces. 

What has surprised the western countries is the fact that these forces not only receive their orders from President Farmaajo but also Turkish officials. This is as if giving control of your country to someone else without knowing what the other is capable of doing with that kind of control. 

Turkey has a never-ending energy demand for which it is going to various lengths. Even in the disputed region controversy with Greece, it continues its efforts to draw more by exploring the waters of the Mediterranean region. Despite criticism, it is highly unlikely that Erdogan will slow down especially with countries like Somalia and Sudan, which are in desperate need of financial support.