Turkey in Somalia: Shifting Paradigms of Aid

This report examines Turkey's multifaceted engagement in Somalia, which intensified following the 2010–2012 famine. It analyzes the trends and challenges of Turkey's approach as an emerging donor in a conflict setting, highlighting its willingness to deploy staff despite security risks and its emphasis on national ownership.

• Turkey's involvement in Somalia began with a response to the 2010–2012 famine and evolved into a multifaceted engagement involving the Turkish government, private sector, religious institutions, local municipalities, and nongovernmental organisations. This engagement includes mediating between parties, hosting conferences, capacity-building, and promoting bilateral trade.
• Turkey's approach in Somalia is characterized by a willingness to deploy personnel in the field despite security risks, a focus on national ownership, and deference to the Somali government, alongside involvement in the private and security sectors.
• The report identifies critical tensions regarding Turkey's strategy, specifically whether its support for security institutions and sovereignty might conflict with human rights norms and the inclusion of diverse societal groups in peacebuilding, and whether its multi-pronged aid approach can form a coherent peacebuilding strategy.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2016). Turkey in Somalia: Shifting Paradigms of Aid. https://saiia.org.za/research/turkey-in-somalia-shifting-paradigms-of-aid/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Turkey in Somalia: Shifting Paradigms of Aid. 2016. https://saiia.org.za/research/turkey-in-somalia-shifting-paradigms-of-aid/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Turkey in Somalia: Shifting Paradigms of Aid |date=21 November 2016 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/turkey-in-somalia-shifting-paradigms-of-aid/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2016turkey, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Turkey in Somalia: Shifting Paradigms of Aid}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2016}, month = nov, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/turkey-in-somalia-shifting-paradigms-of-aid/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }