Turkish Ambassador to Somalia Visits Garowe, Capital of Puntland

Turkish Ambassador to Somalia, Kani Torun on Thursday visited Puntland capital, Garowe and met the leaders of Somalia’s semi-autonomous state.

A delegation led by the Turkish Ambassador was highly welcomed in the Garowe airport by Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, his Vice and Cabinet ministers as well local residents.

Turkish Ambassador together with the Puntland leaders, visited vairous places in the capital including; a local hospital, Universities, Schools and government departments.

After helding talks at the Presidential state house, Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali told the Press that they discussed on the need for more development projects from Turkey in Puntland.

Ambassador Dr Kani Torun told Journalists also that his government is now ready to start development projects and deliver humanitarian aid in the region.

            ‘’ Turkey and Puntland have historical links since 16th Century, we will build an extensional hospital, Vocational Schools, provide scholarships and bring investors,’’ said the Ambassador.

Last month, Turkish Red Crescent Society distributed food to the families affected by the last year Cyclone, that hitted Puntland Coastal area.

Recently, Turkey was accused for being partial on the aid  and development projects its been distributing in the war-ravaged country since its arrival in 2011, but the ambassador denied the allegations.

”When we first came, there was a really humanitarian need in the South [Mogadishu]…  but now we are starting to reach every where.”

Turkey’s involvement in Somalia emerged in 2011 when Prime Minister Recep Tayyib Erdogan paid a rare visit to Mogadishu, becoming the first non-African leader to visit the war-torn city for two decades.

Since then Turkey has provided $400 million in aid to the country building hospitals, schools and other structures and educating students in Turkey with scholarships.