Ingiriiska's sudden interest in Soomaaliya

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Why the sudden interest of Ingiriiska in Soomaaliya? Su'aashaas ma isweydiisay. Well, as they say, history repeats itself. Read this qoraal.

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Somalia: The Turkish Connection

 

It was, for some, a cause for surprise to see the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his wife Emine, paying a visit to the war-torn country of Somalia, on August 19, 2011, less than two weeks after when, as the government put it, the “Al-Shabab Militias were defeated” and forced out of the capital on August 6, 2011. Erdogan’s visit followed the visit of President Ismail Omar Guelleh, of the sisterly Republic of Djibouti on August 16, 2011.

 

For both the leaders, a visit to Mogadishu has been a courageous step, knowing the fragility of the Somali capital’s security situation, as it was only two weeks after Al-Shabaab militias also said that they were “retreating” from Mogadishu. When all others stayed away, visits of such important leaders were great encouragement and a morale boost for the people of Somalia as well as an expression of solidarity with them.

 

Soon after his visit to Mogadishu, Erdogan took his experience to the United Nations General Assembly’s 66th Session General Debate, where he told the world leaders’ gathering:

 

“This is a shame for the international community, which must stop watching the famine in Somalia unfold “as if it were a movie” and, instead, act with great urgency.”

 

In an article “Tears of Somalia” published by the US Magazine “Foreign Policy” on October 10, 2011, the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan affirmed his country’s diplomatic and political support with the people of Somalia “with whom,” he said, “we have deep historical relations.”

 

The “historical relations” between Turkey and Somalia mentioned by the Turkish Prime Minister, are indeed “deep” and their roots go back during the rule of Sultan Salim I in 1517 when the Ottoman Empire took over Zeyla and Berbera. To see how deep they were, we have to go back to the historic events of the past.

 

Like today in the 21st century, when the powers watch each other’s movements in the world, 140 years ago, in 1870, the British authorities in Aden, Yemen, were following the activities of the Turks in Somali territories of Berbera and Bulhar. On February 11, 1870, General Russell who was head of the British garrison in Aden that “Turkish man-of-war Khartoum commanded by Mahomed Jemal Pasha had landed troops at Berbera.”

 

The General told his government that “he was about to send Her Majesty’s Ship Sind to the spot to keep a watch on the happenings and to prevent, if possible, the tribe from committing their kingdom to Moslem rule.”

 

In the area, or across the sea, the British established a garrison in Aden, Yemen, in 1839. They saw the Turks, a Muslim power, as a threat to their interest in the Red Sea and the coastal area opposite to Yemen, where they considered an important source of meat supply to their garrison in Aden.

 

At that time, the Turkish claim over Somali territories was clearly emphasised by the Turkish Pasha in a letter referred to by the British resident at Aden, General Russell, who quoted in his report dated 1870 the Pasha as saying:

 

“The ports of Berbera and Bulhar, and surrounding districts, are under the Government of the Sultan, and the people are his subjects; that there can be no cause for taking the country for the Turks, for the Turkish flag, it is known, is over the country; that he found the flag of the Porte with them, and, finally that he visited Berbera and Bulhar at the request of the Somalis to settle their disputes”.

 

General Russell sent, in accordance with British Government Resolution n.1113 dated 7 April 1870, what he called “a confidential native agent” to Berbera:

 

“To watch the action of the Turks, and to frustrate, if possible, the cession of the ports of Berbera and Bulhar to them, as they were, from information on which I placed reliance, about to take these ports under their (Turkish) rule”.

 

Although the British considered Turks as rivals in competition with them in the race for Somali territories, they still admitted what the Turkish authorities have accomplished during their stay in the area. In a memorandum to his government, Major Hunter, who took over the territories after the Turkish Pasha withdrew, reported in 1884 that:

 

“At Berbera the Egyptians [Turks] have done much to improve the port. A light-house has been built, an excellent pier has been run out into the harbour, and water has been brought in from a distance of eight miles, and is distributed all over, what may be called, a new settlement. Two musjids [masjids], besides barracks, a hospital, store-rooms and other public buildings have been constructed of a substantial nature, and would do credit to any administration”.

 

After a century and a half, there are still visible traces of Turkish presence in the area and some of what they have done is used now, in 2011, by the Somalis in Berbera. I am told that the town is still supplied water from the same facilities built by the Turks and one of the mosques built by the Turks in 19th century, known as “Masjid Turkaawi” is still there, well maintained and used for prayers. When I visited Zaila in 1967, I have personally seen an unused wooden building which I was told it belonged to the Turkish Pasha.

 

Although the Turks left on their own and leaving the territories to the British, who made them their Protectorate in 1886, the Somali people’s allegiance remained to the Turks. In February 1919, according to British sources, a number of Somalis from British Protectorate were arrested in Aden, Yemen. After the signing of armistice, these Somalis had come to Aden from Lahej, the headquarters of the Turkish Commander. They were tried by a British Military Court at Aden and were charged with fighting in the war on the side of the Turks in the Aden hinterland. According to the General Officer Commanding, Aden Field Force, “they were tried for being actively in arms against His Majesty, or as an alternative charge, actively assisting the enemy.”

 

Those arrested, who were 146 out of 154, were deported and confined in the jails in the Bombay [india] Presidency. They were distributed into four jails in India. Later on the British decided to send the prisoners back home to former British Somaliland. (6)

 

The fact that these Somalis were arrested and “charged with fighting in the war on the side of the Turks in the Aden hinterland”, means there could also be the possibility that some other Somalis might have lost their lives in support of Turkey in that same war. This shows how deep the connection between the two peoples was back in 19th century.

 

Turkey was not among the nations that were part of the “Scramble for Africa”. They left Somali territories in 19th century on their own without incident or conflict with the Somalis. Therefore there has been no animosity between Somalia and Turkey.

 

Whether it was in connection with the “historical relations” referred to by the Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyib Erdogan, or not, his visit to Mogadishu at this moment of hardship was highly significant and most welcome by the Somali people, who are in dire need of a brother indeed.

 

The visit of the Prime Minister of Turkey to Somalia will surely revive the old connection between the two countries and peoples and the promises he made that his country will under take major reconstruction program, which includes digging wells to improve water supply, building field hospitals, a highway between the Mogadishu airport and the city centre, as well as facilities for waste management to clean up Mogadishu's rubbish-strewn streets are vital for the capital which is devastated by the civil war. He said Housing Development Administration of Turkey (TOKI) will also build houses and schools in the famine-hit country.

 

Following are what the Turkish Government has promised to provide:

 

1) Emergency assistance: - Food and medical assistance -Technical assistance in food and medical distribution for displaced people - Turkish man-power (doctors & nurses)

2) Long-term developmental Assistance: -Infrastructure development: rehabilitation of schools and Hospitals -Building roads, sewage and sanitary system for Mogadishu. -Improvement of Mogadishu Seaport and Airport - Power supply system for Mogadishu.

3) Technical and Engineering personnel (capacity building)

4) Offering scholarships for Somali students and Educators.

5) Improving trade practices for Somali traders.

 

To confirm what has been announced in Mogadishu during the visit of the Prime Minister of Turkey, Erdogan, the Somali President, Shaikh Sharif Sh. Ahmed, has been invited to Turkey on a two-day visit and met with the Turkish President, Abdullah Gull in Istanbul on October 21, 2011, who re-iterated that Turkey “will send the newly appointed Turkish Ambassador to Mogadishu shortly to oversee projects and carry out instructions and implementations.”

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

CHANCES OF SUCCESS FOR TURKEY’S EFFORTS

:

 

Turkey has not been among the players in the Somali game in the recent past, and as such, many have been surprised by the swift action in which Ankara tries to show the world, which is dragging its feet for over two decades without giving even a nominal hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that Somalia indeed has friends who are on their side.

 

Soon after he visited Mogadishu, the Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyib Erdogan, took the Somali case to the United Nations General Assembly 66th General Debate. He said in a major speech to the world leaders:

 

“Last month in Somalia, for instance, I witnessed in person how the UN and the international community remained helpless against the pressing problems of today. It is impossible for me to put into words the poverty and suffering I have seen in Somalia”.

 

He said his country has “collected a donation of about 300 million USD within the last two months. Furthermore, the amount of our humanitarian assistance surpassed the level of 30 million USD until now.”

 

“We also organized an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Istanbul and the amount of pledges made on this occasion exceeded 350 million USD”, he said.

 

The way Turkey is acting in Somalia, with such high speed, no doubt surpassed what most of the people would have imagined, whether it is just a humanitarian gesture or politically motivated to show the world its strength as a regional power vying to have, as Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, Bulent Arinc, was quoted as saying “a bigger say in international affairs.”

 

It is my conviction that Turkish intention to help Somalia, which is in dire need of a true and selfless counterpart, to help come out of the abyss of despair, is, no doubt, an honest and genuine initiative which merits the unconditional support of any Somali who has his/her country at heart.

 

Unlike most of the so-called brotherly or friendly countries who offered their assistance through channels, which Somalis have no say or able to control, Turkey chose to be directly involved in the implementation of its projects for the rehabilitation of Somalia’s devastated hospitals, schools, roads etc.

 

“We are making every effort to carry out infrastructure investments that will enable Somalia to stand on its feet. We are also working unrelentingly to help provide an environment of political stability and peace conducive to sustainable development”, the Prime Minister or Turkey, Erdogan told the world leaders at the UN 66th General Debate.

 

“By re-opening of our Embassy in Mogadishu, we have also showed the world that claims of security challenges cannot be an excuse for delaying assistance”, Erdogan said.

 

During the last 20 years or so, emphasis was laid on processes of “Peace and reconciliation” while reconstruction, education or jobs for the youth etc. have rarely been mentioned. Nearly 20 conferences were held and all ended in failure.

 

All of a sudden, Turkey emerges with such a gigantic multi-faceted program of assistance to Somalia covering the restoration or, in some cases, the reconstruction of medical centers, schools and repairing of the roads damaged during the civil war, deserves to be welcomed.

 

The Turkish program is not a military intervention. It is a civilian intervention aimed, as the Prime Minister Erdogan told the UN, “Along with emergency humanitarian aid, Turkey is also determined to help build the Infrastructure facilities that will enable this country to stand on its feet.”

 

But to avoid failure it must be taken into consideration also that Somalia needs not only building of “infrastructure facilities” but more importantly it is necessary to generate employment for the youth, who, since the collapse of the dt in 1991, have known nothing but killing and looting to earn a living. Same also applies to the situation of the pirates in the Somali Sea, whose rights to fish in their own territorial waters has been usurped by foreign and powerful fleets. So, being the first of its kind to be implemented in Somalia, for the last 20 years, the authorities in charge of the Turkish Plan for Somalia’s reconstruction should also consider generating jobs for skilled and unskilled Somalis, to help them earn their living as normal and law-abiding citizens, who otherwise would be attracted by the job of militia or piracy offers which are so abundant in the Somali market.

 

In today’s Somalia, jobs and peace are inter-related. If the youth in the country are not given any alternative employment to becoming militias of organized groups or even freelancers, the risk of causing the failure of any initiative to be under-taken by national or foreign governments is high. The other aspect that can cause failure of this first ever project undertaken by Turkey in Somalia for more a century or so, is to condone corruption and mismanagement during the implementation of the project by any quarter, so that the dignity of the two peoples are protected and to see a successful end of his historic plan.

 

To build a bridge in a troubled sea is not easy, but, at the same time, as the Prime Minister of Turkey, Erdogan said “security challenges cannot be an excuse for delaying assistance.”

Xigasho

[Che -Guevara]

After decades of looking west and being humiliated, Turkey is regaining its identity and looking East and South. They are fortunate to find a great leadership with foresight. The involvement in Somalia is fraught with a lot of risks but it might just pay off if they play it right. The English on the hand are in state confusion. Brazil just overtook Britain in terms of economic growth but I wouldn't count them out.

[Duufaan]

this has to do rush to Africa, in search of cheap raw material. the game is between china vs west. The west enter the game late but using their colonial tactics

[Jacaylbaro]

After 20 years ,,, why Turkey sudden interest in Somalia ?? .....

[Som@li]

I think the reason is to do with the few possitve developments recently in SOMALIA, plus a vast country, untapped, unexplored, and some see opportunity hthere.

 

IT is not only Turkey, Uk, but CHINA, US, India, and more coming soon

[Samafal]

So where does these leave Somalia? I believe its good that we're interested by rich countrries with money that can help to allleviate poverty and the suffering we have been enduring, but I'm afraid we don't have the leaders and know-how to match at this point of time.

[Thankful]

Som@li;768003 wrote:

I think the reason is to do with the few possitve developments recently in SOMALIA, plus a vast country, untapped, unexplored, and some see opportunity hthere.

 

IT is not only Turkey, Uk, but CHINA, US, India, and more coming soon

Maybe, but their leader is the first practicing Muslim Prime Minister that modern Turkey has had. For someone like him to openly pratice Islam in a place like Turkey says a lot. Also, he is guiding Turkey into becoming a regional power. Addressing the Somalia situation will bolster his prestige.

 

In my opinion his Islamic beliefs play a significant role.

[Miskiin-Macruuf-Aqiyaar]

Som@li;768003 wrote:

I think the reason is to do with the few possitve developments recently in SOMALIA, plus a vast country, untapped, unexplored, and some see opportunity hthere.

 

IT is not only Turkey, Uk, but CHINA, US, India, and more coming soon

Turkiga dano gaar oo muuqdo kama laha Soomaaliya, haddee ka leedahayna waa hore soo faragishan lahayd. But, no. Reer Galbeedkaan dantoona maba qarsadaan, Soomaali iyo Soomaaliyaba axsaan ay u falaayaana maleh, dantooda u koow, laba iyo sadex ahba. Not Turkiga.

 

Mida koowaad waa dal Muslim ah. Mida labaad sidee Soomaalida Turkiga ugu soo gurmadeen dal waligooda ugu soo gurmaday maleh, iyagoo dantooda meesha keenin. Goobo waxbarasho ayee dhiseen, maalgiliyeen; isbitaalo ayee dhiseen, dhisi doonaana; bukaamo dalka wax looga qaban waaye dalkooda u qaadeen; ardey fara badan ayee deeq waxbarasho wada siiyeen; gargaar aan la tirin karin soo direen; dhaqaatiir soo direen; safaaradooda fureen; garoonka Aaden Cadde inay dayactiraan rabaan; duulimaad isku xira Istanbuul iyo Xamar bilaabi rabaan; mucaawino aan la xisaabi karin soo direen; ra'iisul wasaarahooda iyo wafdigii ebid ugu badnaa Xamar soo gaaro Xamar tagay.

 

And you are still 'suspicious.' Waa inaa u abaalgudnaa, haddaa awoodnina haddadaan waa inaa afka ugu abaal naqnaa. That is the least we can do, far from being suspicious. A sincere mahadnaq nagu leeyihiin Reer Turkiga. Mahadsanid Reer Turkigoow.

[GaadhHaye]

Waxwalba xaga xun ka eegayaal…billion thanks from the bottom of hearts of all true Somalis to the Turkish people, their Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his cabinet..the selfless assistance they are extending to the Somali people in this hour of need are “Golden Gifts” that will stay with Somalis as cherished memories for generations to come. May Allah compensate their kindness in the “Day of Judgement” with Janatul Furdowsa.

[Somalia]

China

Long term security, Kenya and Ethiopia could be their next Angola so Somalia can't interrupt that in any matter.

 

Oil in Kenya and South Sudan, a safe passage down to Lamu port via pipelines which are vulnerable as long as Al-Shabaab is ever in power.

 

Maritime issue is a problem for possible oil exploration and a buffer zone could be created (Azania) to deal with that, which gives the reason why they've been funding Kenya for that.

 

United Kingdom

Possible recognition of the secessionist region now that Somalia is going forward, vital interest could be minerals there, they were the colonial powers, I would find it hard not to think there's something they know and we do not regarding resources.

 

Somalis in the United Kingdom are a growing force, both financially and educationally as well as in numbers, in a decade they've doubled in numbers. It's in their interests to keep them under check, they have contacts with a ungoverned country, they go unchecked in that area.

 

Turkey

I can't see a strategic reason for engaging in Somalia, maybe also oil if anything was to happen to the Iranian line? It is a growing economy, the 17th largest in the world.

 

US/India have no use for Somalia.

[ElPunto]

There is definitely a change in leadership and outlook in Turkey towards the Muslim world. But the level of interest, support and investment in Somalia goes well beyond what would be appropriate given that Somalia is really just another Muslim country. After all why not show this level of interest and investment in Senegal, Djibouti, Mali or any other Muslim country in the world. Meeshaan wax baa lugu ogyahay. No state acts in a purely altruistic manner.

 

I don't understand the sudden interest of the UK. It has nothing to do with piracy, terrorism or any other reason cited. These have been issues for a long time. It really could be just a counter to Turkey. Just as the west got interested again in Africa when China came along.

[Abwaan]

I guess they felt sorry for Siilaanyo iyo askartiisa, then inay soo caro celiyaan bay rabaan, which is all good!

[burahadeer]

Britain is the first destination for somalis & are housing largest # of refugees ofc not counting those in Africa that fend for thmslvs,so it's only natural to find solution for what they see immigration headache.Also countries take turns,when one gives up on somalia anotha tries..look at Americans,Arabs,Africans,turkey, etc.Just humanitarian...and if there's interest what somalis have to lose, already dust on dinner table!