Mogadishu, Somalia – China has awarded military scholarships to 31 officers from the Somali National Armed Forces (SNA), marking a new chapter in the growing defence cooperation between Beijing and Mogadishu. The announcement was made during an official handover ceremony attended by senior Somali defence officials and representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Mogadishu.
According to Somali military sources, the scholarships will cover advanced training programs in Chinese military academies, focusing on leadership, strategy, engineering, and specialized technical skills. The initiative is part of China’s broader commitment to supporting Somalia’s security sector reform and capacity-building efforts amid ongoing counter-terrorism operations.
Somalia’s Ministry of Defence praised the move, describing it as a “significant investment in the country’s future military leadership.” Officials stressed that the training would help modernize the SNA, enhance operational capabilities, and strengthen bilateral ties with China.
China has been expanding its engagement in Somalia in recent years, not only through security cooperation but also via infrastructure projects, medical assistance, and educational programs. This latest military training initiative comes at a time when Somalia is working to build a self-reliant defence force with the help of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) draws down.