ANKARA — Two senior Horn of Africa officials, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas and Mohamed Abdi Waare, held talks with Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in a meeting that underscored Ankara’s growing diplomatic engagement in Africa.
Gaas and Waare, both former Somali regional leaders with longstanding political experience, currently serve in senior roles within the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, respectively. Their meeting with Fidan focused on regional security, political stabilization efforts, and strengthening cooperation between Turkey and African institutions.
According to diplomatic sources, discussions covered ongoing peacebuilding initiatives in the Horn of Africa, including support for Somalia’s state-building process and efforts to address cross-border challenges such as terrorism, displacement, and climate-related crises. The officials also exchanged views on enhancing institutional collaboration between Turkey, the African Union, and IGAD.
Turkey has significantly expanded its presence in Africa over the past decade, positioning itself as a key partner in development, humanitarian assistance, and security cooperation. In Somalia in particular, Ankara has played a prominent role through infrastructure projects, military training, and diplomatic engagement.
Fidan reiterated Turkey’s commitment to supporting stability and development across the Horn of Africa, highlighting the importance of regional organizations in conflict prevention and resolution. Gaas and Waare, for their part, emphasized the need for sustained international partnerships to address complex political and security challenges facing the region.
Analysts say the meeting reflects a broader trend of increased coordination between African multilateral institutions and external partners, as geopolitical competition intensifies in strategically important regions such as the Horn of Africa.
No detailed joint statement was immediately released following the talks, but officials described the meeting as constructive and focused on deepening long-term cooperation.
