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Somalia president meets Turkey spy chief days after naval ship's arrival

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (R) and Ibrahim Kalin, the head of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT), during their meeting at the Villa Somalia presidential palace in Mogadishu on April 30, 2024. (Photo: Villa Somalia)

By Mwangi Maina | 01 May 2024

The Somali presidency said the meeting focused on enhancing strategic cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held talks with Ibrahim Kalin, the head of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization, also known as the MIT, in Mogadishu on Tuesday.

The meeting came a few days after a Turkish navy ship arrived at the Port of Mogadishu following the signing of a defence and economic agreement between Somalia and Turkey in February.

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The Somali presidency said the meeting focused on enhancing strategic cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including security, intelligence, joint counter-terrorism efforts, and the promotion of regional stability.

Abdullahi Mohamed Ali, the chief of Somalia's National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), attended the meeting.

Turkey has become Somalia's most important partner since 2011, providing humanitarian and development aid, as well as military training.

Five years later, Turkey opened its largest overseas embassy in Mogadishu and began cooperating with Somali authorities in fields ranging from health and infrastructure to education and security.

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (C); Ibrahim Kalin (L), the head of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT); and Somalia's NISA chief Abdullahi Mohamed Ali during their meeting at the Villa Somalia presidential palace in Mogadishu on April 30, 2024. (Photo: Villa Somalia)

Relations between the countries initially focused on humanitarian challenges, says Abdinor Dahir, a researcher at the TRT World Research Centre, but Turkey noticed early how much potential Somalia had.

Following the signing of the 10-year defence deal in February, the Turkish naval warship, TCG Kinaliada Corvette, dropped anchor at the Port of Mogadishu on April 24.

The deal came amid increasing tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia, sparked by the latter's January 1, 2024, sea access deal with Somaliland.

Somalia has partnered with Turkey as part of the effort to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty.