(MENAFN) Somali police officers who received training in Türkiye are increasingly contributing to their country’s internal stability, drawing on the extensive experience and institutional expertise of Turkish law enforcement agencies.

According to reports, Gendarmerie Col. Tansu Utku, who serves as interior counselor at the Turkish Embassy in Mogadishu, said: “Transferring the experience gained over the years by the law enforcement agencies affiliated with our Interior Ministry to the law enforcement agencies of friendly and allied countries significantly contributes to security on a global and regional scale.”

Utku recalled that Somalia’s police force was severely weakened following the civil war and the collapse of the central government in 1991. He noted that Türkiye has continuously supported Somalia, describing both nations as bound by a “shared destiny.”

“Our country has consistently stood by the Somali people and the Somali state, with whom we share a bond of destiny, and played an active role in the restructuring of the Somali police force following the reestablishment of the federal government in 2012,” he said.

Under bilateral cooperation and security agreements, short-term training programs for Somali officers began in 2012. Since 2015, Türkiye’s Police Academy and the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard Academy have welcomed Somali students for undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

Utku highlighted that “Dozens of police officers have completed their training in Türkiye and are returning to their countries to serve in active and critical positions.” He added that since 2019, Somalia’s Police Special Operations Unit has acquired the skills to conduct high-risk tactical missions requiring specialized preparation.

He also mentioned that collaboration continues between Türkiye’s Directorate of Migration Management and Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency in line with international legal frameworks.

Somali officers who studied in Türkiye said their education strengthened both their professional and personal development.

Lt. Commissioner Abdinur, deputy commander of the Somali counterterrorism unit, said he studied in Türkiye in 2021 and earned a master’s degree at the Police Academy in Ankara. He noted that he also learned Turkish during his stay and has since applied his training to strengthen his country’s security institutions.

Maj. Abdi, who serves as liaison officer between the Turkish and Somali police forces, said he also graduated and completed his master’s studies in Türkiye before assuming senior roles in Somalia, including deputy commander of Special Operations.

Chief Inspector Olow, a police station commander, said he attended training in Türkiye in 2021, enrolling in the Strategy Management Department at the Police Academy in Ankara.

Expressing his gratitude, he said he had “greatly benefited from the training he received in Türkiye.”

Through these extensive training initiatives, Türkiye continues to play a central role in rebuilding Somalia’s police force — a partnership that both nations view as vital for regional peace and long-term stability.

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