MOGADISHU: The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Government of Somalia, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, has met with the outgoing non‑resident Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Somalia, Mikhail Golovanov, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mogadishu. The meeting, held on the occasion of the conclusion of Ambassador Golovanov’s diplomatic tenure in Somalia, provided an opportunity to review the state of bilateral relations and express mutual appreciation for the longstanding ties between the two nations.
Minister Abdisalam commended Ambassador Golovanov for his efforts in advancing cooperation between Somalia and Russia during his assignment. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening relations and enhancing collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including political dialogue, economic cooperation, and humanitarian exchanges. The farewell meeting came just days after the Ambassador’s tenure was officially concluded. The outgoing envoy had previously held discussions with Somali leaders on a range of topics, including security, social, and humanitarian issues.
Ambassador Golovanov served as Russia’s non‑resident envoy to Somalia, with concurrent accreditation to Djibouti, a role he had held since 2019. His diplomatic engagement in Mogadishu took place against a backdrop of expanding Russia‑Somalia ties. In April 2025, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov arrived in Mogadishu for high‑level discussions, underscoring Moscow’s growing interest in the Horn of Africa. During that visit, Bogdanov also delivered an official invitation from President Vladimir Putin for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to attend the Russia‑Arab League Summit.
In May 2025, Somalia’s Senate Speaker, Abdi Hashi Abdullahi, travelled to Moscow to strengthen parliamentary ties with the Russian Federation Council, seeking to enhance cooperation in political, economic, and strategic sectors. The following month, Somalia’s new ambassador to Russia, Mohamed Abdullahi Zubeyr, presented a copy of his credentials to Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, marking the formal start of his diplomatic mission in Moscow. In January 2026, Ambassador Mohamud Abukar Subeer formally presented his letters of credence to President Putin at the Grand Kremlin Palace, further consolidating the bilateral relationship.
Bilateral cooperation has extended to the health sector. In February 2026, Somalia and Russia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Geneva aimed at strengthening healthcare collaboration, including capacity‑building for health professionals, disease prevention, and the implementation of digital health technologies. The MoU was signed by Minister of Health Dr. Ali Haji Adam and Russian Deputy Minister of Health Oleg Salagay. Earlier, in December 2025, Minister Abdisalam had led the Somali delegation to the Second Ministerial Conference of the Russia‑Africa Partnership Forum in Cairo, where he reaffirmed Somalia’s support for the partnership as a platform for dialogue and cooperation.
At the United Nations Security Council, Russia has voiced support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Following the December 2025 Israeli recognition of Somaliland, Moscow reaffirmed its unwavering support for a unified Somalia, emphasising the importance of upholding international law. Russia also opposed the extension of the UN arms embargo on Somalia at the Security Council in April 2026, aligning with Mogadishu’s position that the restrictions undermined the government’s ability to equip its forces. The Somali government welcomed Moscow’s stance as a reflection of growing strategic convergence between the two countries.
As Ambassador Golovanov concludes his tenure, both sides have expressed their intention to continue deepening their partnership. The Minister of Foreign Affairs thanked the Russian government for its continued support and reiterated Somalia’s commitment to working with Russia on shared priorities, including peace, security, and sustainable development.
Recommended Reading on ftlsomalia.com:
- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Arrives In Mogadishu For Key Talks
- Somalia’s President Invited To Russia-Arab League Summit During Bilateral Talks
- Somalia Senate Speaker Arrives In Moscow To Boost Ties With Russia
- New Somali Ambassador To Russia Presents Credentials To Bogdanov
- Somali Foreign Minister Arrives In Cairo For Russia-Africa Partnership Forum
- Russia Reaffirms Strong Support For Somalia’s Unity At UNSC
