Somalia’s president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, praised Turkey for helping Somalia build sustainable capacity instead of relying on short-term aid.

He said: “Turkey’s support for Somalia was not about giving us fish; it was about training us to fish.”

Mahamud thanked Turkey for supporting schools, hospitals, education, security, and energy development, and also pointed to strengthening Somalia’s fight against the al-Shabaab group.

He added: “Turkey also trains our soldiers and provides them with the equipment they need. This has changed many things both for our security and for the fight against the terrorist organization al-Shabaab.”

He said that direct financial assistance alone brings only temporary benefits.

Mahamud said: “They could have given us money, and we would have spent it and then, tomorrow, we would have needed help again.”

He added: “Our relations are growing day by day. Tomorrow, this partnership will be even stronger.”