Somalia's Foreign Affairs Minister holds talks with Turkish counterpart

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The relationship between the federal government of Somalia with the government of Turkey has continued to blossom with the two nations enjoying cordial partnership for the last couple of years.

On Friday, Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu conveyed his condolences to his Somali counterpart Abdisaid Muse Ali for those killed earlier this week in terror attacks in the East African country.

On his part, Muse Ali conveyed well wishes to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and first lady Emine Erdogan after they tested positive for the coronavirus last week and congratulated Turkiye for its domestically developed Turkovac COVID-19 vaccine.

The top Somali diplomat also confirmed he will attend the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkiye’s resort city of Antalya from March 11 - 13. They also discussed irregular migration and pushbacks and Cavusoglu conveyed his condolences for five irregular migrants that were found frozen to death on the Turkish-Greek border.

Cavusoglu said such pushbacks are unacceptable and the EU remains silent on the issue. He reiterated that Turkiye will put the human rights violation on the agenda on international platforms. Muse Ali also expressed his gratitude for the assistance provided by Turkiye to his citizens who survived the tragedy.

Earlier on Thursday, Turkey condemned recent terror attacks in Somalia, which have killed at least 11 people and injured more than 25 others.

"We are saddened to receive the news that at least 11 people lost their lives and more than 25 were injured in three separate bomb blasts which took place on the 9 and 10 February in Barawe, Bosaso, and Mogadishu cities of Somalia," said a statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

The ministry extended condolences to the people of Somalia and its government and wished for a speedy recovery to the injured. "Turkiye will continue to stand by Somalia in its fight against terrorism," it added.

At least six people were killed Thursday when a suicide bomber blew himself up in the capital of Mogadishu, according to medical sources. The attack occurred at the El-gabta intersection near the heavily guarded Somali presidential palace.

On Wednesday, the militants also struct at Barawe town in Lower Shabelle when the region was holding Lower House elections. Al-Shabaab has continued to wreak havoc in the Horn of Africa nation for the last several years.

GAROWE ONLINE