Somalia: President jets off to Turkey, 2nd trip in two months

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somali President, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has jetted off to Turkey from neighbouring Djibouti, where has been on official visit began Thursday, Garowe Online reports.

The President's trip came after receiving an official invitation from his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend the ruling AK party’s 6th Ordinary Congress expected to kick off on 18th August.

In a Twitter post, Villa Somalia said the country's leader will hold talks with Erdogan during his stay to discuss bilateral relations, cooperation on economy, security and promote trade and investment.

"Turkey is Somalia’s close ally and friend," it added.

This is the third visit by Farmajo since he came to power in February 2017. On July 9, the president has attended the inauguration of Erdogan held in the capital, Ankara.

The trip comes as Turkey experiences a currency meltdown and a tariff spat with the U.S. 

So far, the Turkish lira has lost more than 40% of its value against the dollar this year, sparking fears of contagion and a sell-off in emerging markets.

Last September, Turkey has opened its biggest overseas military base in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, increasing Ankara's influence and presence in the Horn of Africa country.

Turkey’s deepening engagement in Somalia has helped make discernible changes to the war-ravaged country in sectors ranging from health to infrastructure, education, and trade.

Ankara has funnelled millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to Somalia, and especially during the devastating 2011 famine that killed 250,000 people.

In the last decade, the Western-backed Somali government has been battling the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab Islamist group, which controls a large ground in the south of the country. 

GAROWE ONLINE