This essay examines Türkiye’s two-stage intervention in Somalia since 2012. First came humanitarian involvement during the Somali famine in the early 2010s. Once the immediate crisis waned, Turkish economic and strategic interests came to dominate its relationship with Somalia. It is as if Islamic humanitarianism was the trojan horse for Türkiye’s long-term interests in and exploitation of Somalia.

In this rejoinder to a critical rebuttal published in this issue (927) of Pambazuka on Mogadishu’s blind spot, the author defends his position through eight facts necessary to consider. With close attention to the intellectual positions on the rebuttal’s sources, Samatar poses important questions, including the distinction of the AU, Africa’s positon against genocide, and Somaliland’s elites. 

Somalis and their well-wishers are frustrated by the endless turmoil and the population’s wretchedness. Samatar examines why the Somali elite have failed to save their people who share dense cultural commonalities.