ISTANBUL: The Minister of Defence for the Federal Republic of Somalia, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, participated in the SAHA 2026 Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul, where he engaged in bilateral discussions with his Turkish counterpart, Yaşar Güler. The two officials explored ways to enhance defense collaboration between Somalia and Türkiye, focusing on improving the capabilities of the Somali National Armed Forces.
This high-level engagement is the latest indicator of the rapidly growing and increasingly strategic defense partnership between Mogadishu and Ankara. A Somali National News Agency (SONNA) report on the meeting detailed the ministers’ focus on military capacity-building.
The relationship extends beyond financial aid into direct institutional capacity building. Turkey has been one of Somalia’s most consistent security and development allies over the past decade, largely through the TURKSOM Military Academy in Mogadishu, which has trained thousands of Somali soldiers and officers.
The discussions in Istanbul also come at a critical time as Somalia intensifies its efforts to assume full security responsibility from international partners. Minister Fiqi’s participation in the fair aligns with this national objective, signaling the government’s intent to secure advanced equipment and technical expertise from one of its most reliable allies to professionalize its armed forces and counter terrorist threats.
