Defence Minister Fiqi Meets Jordan Army Chief to Bolster Military Cooperation

AMMAN – Somalia’s Minister of Defence, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, held high-level talks with the Chairman of the Jordanian Joint Chiefs of Staff, Major General Yousef Ahmed Al-Huneiti, during an official visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, focusing on regional security challenges and expanding bilateral defence cooperation.

The meeting, held at the General Command headquarters, reviewed regional and international developments, security challenges, and prospects for closer cooperation between the two countries’ armed forces. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of sustained military cooperation to strengthen defence capabilities and promote security and stability across the region.

Focus on Capacity Building and Counter-Terrorism

During the visit, Minister Fiqi received a briefing on the Jordan Armed Forces, including their training programmes and areas of cooperation that could support the capacity-building and development of the Somali National Armed Forces, particularly in counter-terrorism and the exchange of expertise. The talks come as Somalia continues its intensified campaign against Al-Shabaab and ISIS-linked fighters, with the Somali National Army making successive gains in recent months.

Minister Fiqi expressed his appreciation for Jordan’s continued support to the Federal Republic of Somalia. He also provided an overview of the security situation in the Horn of Africa, the threat posed by terrorist organisations, Somalia’s ongoing campaign against those groups, and the successive achievements made by the Somali National Armed Forces.

A Growing Defence Partnership

The meeting builds on a series of engagements that have underscored the strength of Somalia-Jordan relations. In August 2025, Somalia’s federal cabinet approved a defence memorandum of understanding with Jordan, alongside similar accords with Qatar and Pakistan, aimed at boosting Somalia’s defence capabilities through training programmes, resource sharing, and modernisation of the national army.

High-level security cooperation has also featured prominently in bilateral ties. In July 2025, Somalia’s Chief of the Criminal Investigations Department participated in a regional security conference in Jordan, focusing on irregular migration and transnational organised crime. The conference brought together senior law enforcement officials from across the Middle East and Africa to enhance intelligence sharing and operational coordination.

Diplomatic and Regional Coordination

The defence minister’s visit follows a series of high-level diplomatic engagements between the two countries. In March 2026, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held a telephone conversation with King Abdullah II of Jordan to address the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East, reaffirming Somalia’s unwavering solidarity with Jordan and expressing strong support for the Kingdom’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In April 2026, Somalia’s Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali held talks with Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi to discuss regional developments and means of strengthening bilateral ties, emphasising the importance of expanding collaboration in critical sectors, including counter-terrorism, economic growth, and investment.

Jordan’s Consistent Support for Somalia

Jordan has been a consistent voice in support of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly regarding the issue of Somaliland. Jordan has repeatedly rejected any attempts to create parallel entities that could threaten Somalia’s unity and has condemned any unilateral recognition of breakaway regions as a violation of international law and Somalia’s sovereignty.

Socio-economic and cultural cooperation has similarly progressed. In July 2025, Somalia’s Minister of Youth and Sports attended the launch of the Arab Strategy for Youth, Peace, and Security in Amman, where he held bilateral talks with his Jordanian counterpart to strengthen collaboration on youth empowerment, sports development, and cultural exchange.

Way Forward

The meeting between Minister Fiqi and General Al-Huneiti reflects the deepening defence partnership between Somalia and Jordan. As Somalia continues to rebuild its national armed forces and combat terrorist threats, Jordan’s expertise in military training, capacity-building, and counter-terrorism is expected to play a significant role in strengthening Somalia’s defence capabilities.

The meeting was attended by Somalia’s Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Habib Mousa Farah, and senior military officers from both countries.