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Political Ambitions of Turkey in Somalia Are Not Acceptable

June 12, 2012 · 3025932 Comments2012-06-12+17%3A52%3A48goth+Mohamed

In the beginning of 14th through to the 19th Century, the Sultans of the Ottoman Dynasty ruled large parts of Somalia stretching from Harar, Berbera, Zeyla, Borama, to Southern coastal areas like RasAsair to RasGamboni including Mogadishu, Brave, Merka, and Kismayo. The Ottoman Sultanate did not establish any self-governance for the Somali people. Their only goal was to rule and collect taxes. Somalis were to merely support the Ottoman Empire.
Somali clerks were not allowed to work in the Sultanate’s offices. Rebellions and revolts resulted from Somalis resentment of taxation. Sadly the resistance failed due to Turkish leaders who manipulated a few Somali religious-elders, convincing them that Turkish efforts were defending Islam in the Horn of Africa against invasions of Christian Ethiopians. This, of course, was not true and history has proved it. On the contrary, when Ethiopians invaded the western territories of Somalia, then under the rule of Turkish Sultanate, the Sultanate did nothing. Ethiopians killed thousands of defenseless Somalis and displaced thousands more, pushing them eastwards.
Today, after twenty one years of Somalia being a stateless country and having been badly affected by wars and droughts, the non-secular Turkish government hands out food aid and medicine to needy, displaced Somalis. Ironically, Turkey has not heard the loud cry of Somali civil strife during the years of anarchy from 1990 up to 2011. Turkish motivations today are questionable. We see a repeat of their earlier tactics of extending their sympathetic invitations to Somali traditional elders as well as the Somali Transitional Government in Mogadishu.
The conference that took place from May 26 to June 2 in Istanbul was held to discuss political, security and economic development in Somalia. No doubt that Turkey is a key player among donor countries. Somalis know from experience that Turkish humanitarian assistance has a better track record of reaching the needy than that of the UN. In this respect, Turkey won the hearts and minds of Somalis and gained undeniable access to advocate on their behalf before international community. But I fear that Turkey’s ultimate strategy is to treat Somalis only to trick them later.
Somalis must remember the history between our two countries and have enough awareness to be skeptical of the current Turkish government. It is not in our best interests that Turkey lead Somalia’s political restructuring as our sole savior. No country has a legitimate right to guide another sovereign state. That is why the United Nations, African Union, and other international organizations must assist in establishing a permanent government for Somalia.
We should be wary when Turkey unilaterally offers to assume a political leadership role in our country. I am certain that Turkey does not have the financial resources or desire to rebuild Somalia, but they hope to play the role of pseudo-Islamic mediator and then funnel the donated money to Turkish corporations. In 2011, the money Turkey donated was paid out to Turkish firms and businesses. Once people become aware of this, they are not surprised to learn that no money was used to create Somali institutions or local businesses that could sustain themselves long-term. All the workers came from Turkey and all the companies were owned by Turkish interests. In addition, Turkish firms are building schools in Mogadishu and teaching Turkish instead of the Somali language. To the People Party of Somalia, this is cultural domination.
While Turkey has implemented distribution of humanitarian aid better than the UN, it is taking advantage of the good will this generated and its true political intentions are beginning to surface. Turkey’s ruler is a religious man and its government is inclined towards non-secular governance. It is becoming obvious that Turkey is making efforts to unite religious factions around the current Somali president in order to establish one big religious movement. Couple this with the fact that if the Islamic Brotherhood wins the election in Egypt, together Turkey and Egypt can influence Somalia to create an Islamic state. We must avoid this at all costs. It is critical to establish a non-secular government in Somalia.
We do not want the religious conflicts of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, and Turkey to spread to Somalia. The Arab and Islamic countries did not give Somalia support when we needed it most. Their enthusiastic involvement today is only to promote Arabism and the radicalization of Somalia. For this reason we hope and ask the African Union to actively participate in rebuilding Somalia’s institutions.
The People Party of Somalia is against the renewed involvement of Arab and Islamic countries in the process of establishing a permanent government in Somalia. We are supportive of the efforts of the UN, AU, and AMISOM, led by Ugandan peacekeepers. Otherwise Somalia will slide further into a situation from which it will be even more difficult to recover.
With Best Regards,
Dr. Said IssaMohamud
Chair of the People Party of Somalia
Candidate for President of Somalia

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By goth Mohamed

Tags: Somalilandpress; Political Ambitions of Turkey in Somalia Are Not Acceptable

Gobaad says:

"… Turkey’s ultimate strategy is to treat Somalis only to trick them later…" Author is certainly right. Donor countries with hidden agendas always take advantage of other countries at their weakness and lowest point. Somalia has to be aware and should not put their guard down of Turkish interest in Somalia. So, that they don't regret later on. As the Somali saying goes: waan baahana yahay looma bahalo cuno!

12:25 pm on June 12, 2012

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- isse says:
  
  I bet you wouldn't say that if Turkey was helping Somaliland instead of Somalia, one more thump down from me.
  
  10:15 am on June 13, 2012
  
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Somalia says:

garbage article

12:47 pm on June 12, 2012

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Ahmed says:

Somalis need to learn how to appreciate. Turkey’s got involve when Somalia need them most. Look this so call Candidate questioning the people that helping them

12:56 pm on June 12, 2012

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Mitat says:

What a pitty that the author surname is Mohamud. Egypt was ottoman territory for 300 hundred years and you can not find anyone who can speak Turkish. Western countries took control the region less than one hundred years and their language is widly spoken. Who is the colonialist???

2:12 pm on June 12, 2012

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Allemagan says:

".. to treat Somalis only to trick them later".
f
I wonder what is the real motive of the author to put a wedge between Somalia and Turkish people. You know that there is nothing to steal from Somalia. What is there in Somalia now that Turkey would need to trick starving people who are forgotten by the wider world?

This article is nonsense and should not printed. I wonder if the author of this misguided article is even a Somali national. Only someone who hates Somalia and its stability will write such as ridiculous text. Go get a life!

3:19 pm on June 12, 2012

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- Jama says:
  
  What is there in Somalia now that Turkey ?
  
  Well Somalia is rich in mineral resources-One of the few places on earth that has had no exploitation.
  
  It has the longest coast line in Africa-With potential Multiple billion dollar fishing industry.
  
  Also it has the highest people to life stock ratio.
  
  And thats just the tip of the iceberg my friend.
  
  4:58 pm on June 12, 2012
  
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Jama says:

The first sentence of this article was it all "Southern coastal areas like RasAsair to RasGamboni including Mogadishu, Brave, Merka, and Kismayo"

That is a blatant Falsehood. Surely this is written by a non-Somalia. What utter ignorance and misinformation.

4:52 pm on June 12, 2012

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nabiel says:

"Southern coastal areas like RasAsair to RasGamboni including Mogadishu, Brave, Merka, and Kismayo'

who ever wrote this article maybe has never seen the map of Somalia
Rasaseer is the most northern place of all Somalia

garbage article

4:57 pm on June 12, 2012

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Jama says:

Why is Somaliland publishing just poorly written article with so many obvious factual Errors?

The standards on this site is going down hill fast!

5:11 pm on June 12, 2012

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- Jama says:
  
  *Somalilandpress*
  
  5:12 pm on June 12, 2012
  
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Raage says:

The fact that the author declared himself as a candidate for President of Somalia is a shinning ulterior motive, to begin with. There may be an inauspicious history between Turkey and Somalia, but even if that is the case, it occurred hundreds of years ago. The fact of the matter is, Somalis are more educated and insightful than they were a couple of centuries ago; likewise the Turks today have a view and a plan of dealing, helping or doing business with Muslim countries after they were rebuffed countless number of times by the EU. So, in my view, Somalis of today can negotiate and deal with anyone as long as they deem them useful. And the Turks has to be given an A+ for reaching out to Mogadishu ((i.e. TFG), investing and putting Turkish citizens in peril by sending them to a war zone. So, I say let our Turkish brothers and sisters try their hand at fixing Somalia; they probably will not do worse than the westerners and Africans

5:13 pm on June 12, 2012

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- Jama says:
  
  "So, I say let our Turkish brothers and sisters try their hand at fixing Somalia;"
  
  This statement bothers mean a lot. This kind of mentally is why Somalia has been such a mess for the past 21 days.
  
  Somalis have to understand that only they can fix their country. Others can assist but ultimately its in up to them to pick up the pieces. We need change this reliance on others to solve our problems.
  
  Or i'm I wrong?
  
  5:20 pm on June 12, 2012
  
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  - Jama says:
    
    *past 21 years*
    
    5:21 pm on June 12, 2012
    
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far says:

i support what turkey is doing in somalia .if someon complaining about turkey the question they need to answer is do you need Etiopia the enemy of somalia who killed thousand of somalis and still continouning the killing can you tell me any good or help that Etiopia gave to somalia? turkey is struggling to the word to hear our voice,i see turkey as a big opportunity for somali people

5:15 pm on June 12, 2012

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Ung Somali says:

Dear Dr. Said IssaMohamud

You need serious treatment for your illness.

I Hope that you, and your party never succeed i'd rather get exploitted by our Turkish/Arab brothers, than a crazy man like you.

Go and beg your so called friends among the AU/UN, and you will see their true face, no one will miss you.

You are not eligible to stand for presidency in our country .

5:17 pm on June 12, 2012

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khaatumo citizen says:

this artical is writen by one desprate Garadaglander who thinks the whole countrys revolved around eastern togdheer and lilttle village in western erigabo lool

5:20 pm on June 12, 2012

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Kayse says:

Like those that follow Garadagland, the author of this article feels he has no chance with his candidacy in a stable and united Somalia. He feels Turkey is closing the door to warlordism (he had chance there) and all the mini-mad-tribal entities. I feel his pain.

The guy is not only clueless about Somalia's geography, it makes me wonder if he is an Ethiopian. Ethiopians are not at ease I tell you that, they feel "Ahmed Gran aka Gurey" is coming back with the Turks back.

First he should look at the Somali map before he claims to be a Somali expert. Another Ethiopian spy busted but this time it was an easy job.

Turkey like all nations has a job to feed its own but at the same time make allies. It will try to find a win-win situation in regards to Somalia. Make no mistake they will be times when Somalia wins it all and at times when Turkey wins it all. Such is life and business.

Turkey is a healthy ally for Somalia. It represents our proudest moment in our own history—the Adal Kingdom, the conquest of Ethiopia, the unity we had and searching for. If they didn't do us wrong before, there is no reason they will today.

This guy is just another Garadag member with fake party or an Ethiopian. Somalia is recovering and no more playing the good cop in Garadagland. That door is closed. BANGGGGG

5:23 pm on June 12, 2012

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Haajira says:

Just the fact that this author is against Allahs law, calling it radical, indicates that he is an imposter and not a muslim. There is nothing wrong with Gods law, because it is perfect unlike the corrupt man made laws which gave the go ahead to kill all the little dark skinned people. Also, we as muslims need this ummah to unite for if we dont, the kufr will keep murdering us and exploiting our natural resources leaving our young to starve. I support the Turks one hundred percent, after all, they were the only nation including Iran who came to the rescue of my needy muslim brothers and sisters. In conclusion I hope what you say about the Turks wanting muslim uniting is true, That really put a smile on my face, and I thank the Turks and Iranians from the bottom of my heart.

5:58 pm on June 12, 2012

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osman5 says:

It's quite obvious that the Turkey is eyeing on the abundance of untapped natural resources in Somalia in order to boost it's economy to qualify a European membership, unless we're willingly burying our heads in the sand like the ostriches.

Osman Qaal

7:39 pm on June 12, 2012

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mohamed cheers says:

I think this article is all nonsense. I think Turkey is genuine in helping Somalia back to its
normalcy along with the other allies who are engaged in the Somalia's political affairs.
But Turkey is exceptionally investing and why not to be rewarded when real boom comes
back to Somalia Nation. Am all in full support for what Turkey is doing in Somalia and allover the
global village.
Cheers.

9:05 pm on June 12, 2012

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burco says:

Somalis always complain about foreign exploration yet they cant even conquer their own internal problems..Turkey probably idenitfies Somalis as uncivilized Animals who only use violence as their source of communication…Why are Somalis so concern about Turkey when they can't even find peace and stability among themselves..Typical Somali culture, always blaming someone else for their downfault..I am just being realistic..cheers!

9:53 pm on June 12, 2012

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burco says:

also this author is anti-Turkish..He continues to bash Turkey based on Old history. take that nonsense some where else. What has the international communication done for Somalia? The answer is nothing and the only sincere ally we get you chose to publish an article bashing them? Take your negativity else where, we have become so insecure we run away from our own shadow..I support Turkey because at least they don't allow constant drone attacks over our soverign country. Maybe you should publish an article about that instead.

9:57 pm on June 12, 2012

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abu amaar says:

Garbage article what a clueless candidate this guy has
no vision does'nt know his country's geography. Turkey is doing a great job
And they doing it when we needed it most. I don't think he is somalian

10:06 pm on June 12, 2012

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- yavuz says:
  
  thanks my brother….
  when i read the article i became sad and angry actually, as a turkish citizen..
  and knowing feeling what means somalia and poeples for us for turks…
  
  2:22 pm on June 27, 2012
  
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Dhugtame says:

The author is right to let Somalis know that there is no free lunch and the Turks are after something. It is naive to think the Turks will do all these for Somalia, while large parts of its country are less developed than the war devastated Somalia. How come they are sympathetic to Somalis while they are killing their own citizens in Kurdistan? does this make sense?

On the other hand, the author is equally naively attacking Islam and Muslim countries with the hope of securing the Western support for his candidacy, he is nothing more than an opportunist Waloweyn sucker.

3:49 am on June 13, 2012

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- mohamed cheers says:
  
  Turkey was under military dictatorship rule until recently when transormed into civil societies
  Secular-Islamic rule. The kurdistan crisis has been around for a long time and is just like the
  Arab-Israeli m-e crisis. The new Turkey is coping well with the Kurdistan crisis as well as many other difficult political issues which were around for a long time. Overall, I think that the new Turkey is the
  best the World have yet to come into terms and contend with. The new Turkey political nostalgia has
  its purposeful ambitions likewise all other key Govts on the World stages.All backwards Govts are in
  the uprising processes of changing from military/dictatorships into Civic Societies Govts and
  Turkey is already ahead in that regards which's good for the changing well order.
  Cheers.
  
  6:45 am on June 13, 2012
  
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ahmed abdi says:

Well The writer of This Artical is a full of none sense,it’s usual & commen informers infiltrators keep distabilize somalis best They can.

Turkey come to somalia NOT by self interest put to help somalis,what is in for turkey in somalia? at The moment NOTHING may be in The future when somalis stand up Their own feet.

NOTHING is free in live, doing business with turkey it will be good for somalis because They will have strong muslim nation on Their side not similer to arabs who are camaflash.west never genuinely to rescue somalis up to now They are trying & focusing to control somalia indirectly.

6:58 am on June 13, 2012

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Mahkmud says:

Why do Somalis always blame others for their problems? The Turks are over there to help..they are doing a job that other Somalis (diaspora and local) should be doing themselves. It is time to face the hard truth, only Somalis are responsible for this almost 30 year mess. If you cant fix it yourselves at least be thankful when others try to help.

7:23 am on June 15, 2012

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hhasar says:

I am writting this comment as a Turkish citizen living in the part of east of Turkey. Firstable, our country is unique, there is no a kurdistan part. Yes, there is a bit problem in east and southeast sides of Turkey. Sure this problem is resulted from terrorist actions, and some international establishments and countries that don't want a stronger Turkey have supported the terrorist actions. That is, Turkey never kills own citizens. Secondly, Somalia is somalians' country, not anothers. Turkish people are an emotional nation whose sole strategy is to help if one needs an anything. I think this article is written unscrupulous and hope that the most of somalian people do not think like what explained in this article because we think that we have to help all poor people around the world, not only somalians. If all live at good conditions, the world would be a better place for all because there is only one world that could be live together.

5:56 am on June 20, 2012

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Abdirisak Ishak says:

The author could be right in his prophecy about the Turkish invisible hand in the Somali politics, but what is not validating his article is the fact that undersigned himself as a future presidetial candidate for Somali representing People Party Somalia, in my view , I think that candidate has no idea how politics especially diplomacy works, he is absolutely naive by alienating Turkey to show Jigoism or extreme patriotism to the Somalis and also to gain trust and favour from the West. isn't he aware that Turkey is a Nato member and a country that is considered to be western regardless of the national faith. I respect people's opions, but I thought that this was a cheap at Turkey. please mr doctor be aware that everyone can be a politician or learn it but not eveyone is fit for taking the lead and certainly politics is an area where may be more than accademic skills are needed. Good luck by the way.

6:32 am on June 20, 2012

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nur says:

turkey is good helping somalia , just that somaliland must be separate in a federal position

turksish is more than wellcome and somaliland wellcomes turkey more than somalia as we have more history

moqadisho such not be the capital , a new capital should be made without a persian name ,
new city made in ras hafuni an acient enclave to the north known to omen and uae

ahmar wadani , somali city , al tabassam gebal hukum wasi , hojari al somal,

5:26 am on June 22, 2012

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