The ambassador of Djibouti to Ankara, Aden Houssein Abdillahi, said that the international community was doing very little to counter terrorism in Somalia and Africa as a whole, but that what Turkey is doing was what they had expected from the U.N. in Africa. Speaking exclusively to Daily Sabah, Abdillahi underlined that Djibouti is one of the safest and most stable countries in Africa, and they knew from the beginning that terrorist groups like Boko Haram and al-Shabaab would drag some neighboring countries to the edge of collapse. "However, the international community, especially U.N.'s intervention, was too little too late," Abdillahi told Daily Sabah.
He pointed to terrorism and how younger generations are attracted to joining terrorist groups: "We need to provide more assistance to keep the younger generation away from the industry of war, because in this country, war is an industry. It is the only way to make a living. The U.N. has not been able to provide the necessary assistance. But this is what Turkey is doing right now – renovating or rehabilitating roads, making buildings and hospitals … This is what we are expecting from the international community, especially from the U.N."
He added that they are doing their duty in that regard: "With the African Union, we have established AMISOM [African Union Mission in Somalia], which is an African military force. We have been able to send more than 17,000 troops to Somalia. And despite Djibouti not being a big country, we know the region, culture, people and language very well."
Abdillahi also evaluated the bilateral relations between Turkey and Djibouti after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's visit to the country on January 23. "Two years ago, we decided to open an embassy in Ankara for the first time, and one year later Turkey, decided to open an embassy in Djibouti as well. So, within two-and-a-half years, we have built the foundation of a very strong and long-lasting relationship. And of course the visit by President Erdoğan is a milestone in that regard," he said.
He pointed to the agreements that were signed during Erdoğan's visit. "This trip allowed us to outline a strategy and communication between our countries especially in the areas of economic, commercial, energy and infrastructure. We have signed more than 10 agreements in the areas of youth, maritime affairs, security, military and infrastructure."
The most important cooperation between the two counties is economic, Abdillahi added. "We have decided to allocate five million meter squares to Turkey to promote a special economic zone. This free zone allows Turkish investors to implement and establish their own businesses, factories and storage to market in Djibouti, but also the region as a whole."
He underlined that opening embassies is not enough: "The relationship between Turkey and African countries is very promising. But we need to put in place the appropriate mechanisms to enhance this relationship. It is not enough to open embassies. Turkey has all it takes to be a good partner in Africa, especially on the Horn of Africa. The economic zone should be and will be a milestone," Abdillahi asserted.
