A high-level Turkish delegation led by Türkiye’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Arslan Bayraktar, arrived in Mogadishu on Friday. The visit marks a new milestone in Türkiye-Somalia relations as the Turkish seismic vessel Oruç Reis reached Mogadishu’s port to begin surveys along Somalia’s coastline for potential oil and natural gas resources.
Türkiye’s Minister Bayraktar expressed Türkiye’s aim to uplift Somalia’s economy, noting the importance of exploring opportunities in oil, natural gas, mining, and energy infrastructure. This initiative is seen as a significant stride toward Türkiye’s goal of fostering economic growth and self-sufficiency in Somalia. “Our goal is to support Somalia’s development by contributing across key sectors,” Bayraktar noted, underlining Türkiye’s commitment to the nation’s prosperity.
The Oruç Reis will commence its seismic research in line with an agreement signed between Türkiye’s Ministry of Energy and Somalia’s Ministry of Petroleum in March. This collaboration is anticipated to significantly boost Somalia’s energy infrastructure, paving the way for future economic opportunities and stability.
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud voiced appreciation for Türkiye’s support and commitment, emphasizing the partnership’s importance for Somalia’s long-term development. This latest venture highlights the robust Türkiye-Somalia alliance, with both nations working toward mutual growth and regional stability.