Turkish company secures contract to rebuild Mogadishu Port, blow to UAE based company

Turkey is further extending its foreign policy to Somalia, a strategically situated country in the Horn of Africa as a Turkish company secured the 14-year long contract for rebuilding port at Mogadishu, the capital city. The deal would lead to significant investments into port facilities - TRT World, Turkish state international news channel reported citing Mariam Aweya, Ports and Marine Transport Minister of Somalia.

The new agreements between Turkish Company and Somalian federal government are severe blacklash for the United Arab Emirates. The port at the capital city was hitherto controlled by a UAE based company. The foreign policy of UAE in Somalia had caused serious lamentations as it was accused of supporting Al-Shabab, a terrorist group which is known for brutalities it committed.

Turkey had raised serious allegations against the UAE over its secret policy of backing terrorist organizations, especially Al–Shabab. Along with that Turkish foreign ministry spokesperson had warned UAE to withdraw its support for coup plotters in Somalia, through a statement on May 2020.

Relations between UAE and Ankara are not at the best of positions for years. UAE had cut its diplomatic relations with Qatar, a firm supporter of Turkey in the region, as part of blockade put in effect by six countries including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, in 2017.

In Libya, UAE supports and supplies military assistance to self-styled Libyan National Army under Khalifa Haftar, while Ankara is a staunch supporter of UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA).

Thus, the new contract between Somalia and the Turkish company will escalate tensions among already dampened relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Turkey.