Somali police officers who received advanced training in Türkiye are now playing an increasingly vital role in improving their country’s security and institutional strength. The partnership reflects growing cooperation between Mogadishu and Ankara in the areas of policing, counterterrorism, and migration management.
Since 2012, Türkiye has supported Somalia’s efforts to rebuild its police force, which suffered major setbacks following the civil war and the collapse of central authority in the early 1990s. The collaboration expanded further with Türkiye’s Police Academy and the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard Academy offering specialized programs to Somali cadets and officers.
Officials say dozens of Somali officers have now completed their training in Türkiye, earning undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in areas such as policing strategy, law enforcement leadership, and crisis management. Many have returned to take up senior positions within the Somali Police Force and special units.
The training partnership has also helped establish the Somali Police Special Operations Unit, capable of handling high-risk tactical missions against organized crime and terrorism. Through continuous support from Türkiye’s security institutions, Somali officers have gained advanced skills in investigation, public order management, and operational planning.
Cooperation between the two countries extends beyond policing. Türkiye’s Directorate of Migration Management works closely with Somalia’s Immigration and Citizenship Agency to strengthen border control and identity management systems under international legal frameworks.
Somali officers who studied in Türkiye describe the experience as transformative. Graduates say they returned home with not only new technical skills but also an appreciation for Türkiye’s model of professional policing and community trust-building.
As Somali graduates take on leadership roles across the country, the Türkiye–Somalia security partnership continues to contribute to national stability and regional cooperation — a sign of how shared training and mutual trust can shape a safer future for both nations.