Ankara (Caasimada Online) – Turkey has announced changes to its ambassador to Somalia, with Mehmet Yilmaz being recalled to Ankara and replaced by Ibrahim Mete Yagli.
The reshuffle was announced in a decree signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and published in the Official Gazette on Sunday
Mehmet Yilmaz had been Turkey’s ambassador to Somalia since December 2018 and is credited for increasing the number of Somali students studying in Turkey during his tenure.
Yagli, a career diplomat who joined the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1986, has held several positions at home and abroad, including Consul General in Vienna and Ambassador to Botswana.
In January, he is expected to present his credentials to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Turkey and Somalia have enjoyed a robust relationship in diplomacy, economics, military, and politics since the beginning of the 2010s. This is exemplified by the construction of Turkey’s largest embassy in Mogadishu, completed in the early 2010s.
Turkey and Somalia have had a long history of diplomatic relations, dating back to the 1960s.
In recent years, the two countries have significantly strengthened their ties, with Turkey becoming one of the largest donors to Somalia and increasing its presence through various development and humanitarian aid projects.
In 2013, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan inaugurated Turkey’s largest overseas embassy in Mogadishu, signifying the importance of the relationship between the two countries.
Turkey has also provided military training to Somali forces and has been involved in efforts to rebuild the country’s infrastructure.
The appointment of a new ambassador to Somalia is seen as a continuation of Turkey’s efforts to strengthen its presence and influence.
Ibrahim Mete Yagli, the incoming ambassador, is a career diplomat with a wealth of experience in international relations.
He is expected to build upon the foundation laid by his predecessor, Mehmet Yilmaz, and continue to strengthen the already close ties between Turkey and Somalia.
