Somalilandsun – In an era where historical narratives about Africa are often filtered through Western-centric perspectives, Making Sense of Somali History is an important contribution, offering a Somali historian’s lens on the nation’s rich but sometimes turbulent past.
Authored by Dr Abdurahman Abdullahi Baadiyow, a distinguished Somali scholar and public intellectual, the book covers Somali history, focusing on colonialism, the struggle for independence, the influence of Islamic movements, and the collapse of the modern Somali state.
The Turkish edition, translated by Ebuzer Demirci, combines the first and second volumes of Making Sense of Somali History into a single, unified work, titled Somali Tarihini Anlamlandırmak. This decision not only makes the content more accessible to Turkish readers but also enriches their understanding of Somalia’s historical transformations. Demirci has also incorporated Baadiyow’s seminal article Islamism in Somalia as an additional chapter, highlighting the critical role of Islamic movements in shaping Somali society.
Baadiyow’s historical account, however, isn’t just a rumination of an intellectual in an ivory tower; he is also an active participant in the country’s ongoing quest for stability, working as a senior adviser to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on constitutional affairs.
Ebuzer Demirci’s translation of Baadiyow’s seminal work brings the ideas of an accomplished Somali academic into the Turkish language.

By presenting Somalia’s historical journey through an authentic and local narrative, Somali Tarihini Anlamlandırmak becomes an essential resource for scholars, students, and policymakers in Türkiye seeking to engage more deeply with the Horn of Africa, as Ankara becomes a major diplomatic, economic and security player in the region.
Demirci speaks to Geeska about why he chose to translate the book, the impact he hopes it will have, and the historical relations between Somalia and Türkiye. Read full interview HERE