MOGADISHU — The Minister of Internal Security of the Federal Government of Somalia, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail (Fartaag), has received the Ambassador of China to Somalia, Wang Yu, and an embassy delegation at his office in the capital for talks centered on enhancing security cooperation between the two nations .
Discussions focused on China’s support to Somalia, particularly in developing security forces and combating violent extremism. The Minister of Internal Security expressed appreciation to the Chinese government for its continued support to Somalia’s security institutions, noting that such cooperation plays a vital role in maintaining stability and security in the country .
Ambassador Wang Yu reaffirmed his country’s commitment to continued support in the security sector, highlighting assistance to Somalia’s demining agency and the capacity-building of its personnel to reduce landmine risks and enhance civilian safety .
Expanding Security Cooperation
The meeting builds on a series of high-level security engagements between Somalia and China. On the sidelines of the 93rd INTERPOL General Assembly in Marrakech, Fartaag, joined by Somalia’s INTERPOL Chief General Mohamed Ali Dhoorre, conducted a bilateral meeting with China’s Vice Minister of Public Security, Mr. Xu Datong. Talks centered on deepening bilateral relations, widening security cooperation, increasing training and equipment support for Somali security entities, and intensifying joint counter-terrorism operations .
Security Officials Complete China Training
A group of senior Somali security officials has successfully completed a comprehensive capacity-building program in China as part of the Global Security Initiative (GSI), Beijing’s flagship international cooperation framework on security. The training focused on law enforcement, counter-terrorism, and border security, designed to enhance Somalia’s security sector capabilities through practical knowledge-sharing and strategic collaboration. The program also included sessions on cybersecurity, crisis response, and transnational crime prevention .
Chinese authorities emphasized their commitment to deepening bilateral ties with Somalia, particularly in the area of security. At the closing ceremony, Chinese officials reiterated that China will continue to support Somalia’s efforts to implement the Global Security Initiative and ensure long-term peace and stability in the Horn of Africa .
Military Scholarships and Defense Cooperation
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 scholarships will cover advanced training programs in Chinese military academies, focusing on leadership, strategy, engineering, and specialized technical skills. Somalia’s Ministry of Defence praised the move, describing it as a “significant investment in the country’s future military leadership.”
Somalia and China have reopened a new chapter in their bilateral relations following a landmark meeting between Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, on the sidelines of the Xiangshan International Defense Forum in Beijing. The talks represented the first ministerial-level defense engagement between the two nations in nearly 40 years, with both sides underscoring the importance of strengthening security cooperation and reaffirming their shared interest in advancing stability in the Horn of Africa .
“China will further enhance security cooperation with Somalia under the GSI framework and provide the necessary support to build the professional capacity of Somali forces,” a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Public Security stated .
Broader Bilateral Engagement
The security discussions align with broader bilateral cooperation between the two nations. The Director General of Somalia’s Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, Abdiqadir Ilmi Ali, convened with Ambassador Wang Yu to explore avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation with a specific emphasis on state-building and administrative development. Discussions centered on reinforcing joint initiatives across governance frameworks, supporting the ongoing federalization process, and enhancing national reconciliation initiatives to foster social cohesion .
China Reaffirms Support for Somalia’s Sovereignty
In a high-level diplomatic exchange, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed Beijing’s strong backing for Somalia’s national unity and territorial integrity, explicitly rejecting any attempts by the breakaway region of Somaliland to establish separate ties with Taiwan. Wang Yi emphasized that China maintains a steadfast friendly policy toward Mogadishu and voiced strong opposition to what he termed Somaliland’s “collusion with Taiwan authorities to seek independence,” describing such moves as a violation of national sovereignty .
Demining and Civilian Protection
Ambassador Wang Yu highlighted assistance to Somalia’s demining agency and the capacity-building of its personnel to reduce landmine risks and enhance civilian safety. This support forms part of China’s broader commitment to Somalia’s security sector, complementing other areas of cooperation including training, equipment support, and counter-terrorism operations .
Commitment to Strategic Cooperation
The Minister was accompanied by the Director General of the Ministry of Internal Security, Mohamed H. Shire, and Senior Advisor to the Ministry, Shoki Hayir. Both sides agreed to further strengthen strategic cooperation between Somalia and China, particularly in security and stability .
The meeting underscores the growing strategic partnership between Somalia and China, as both nations work to expand cooperation across security, defense, and governance sectors. China remains a significant partner in Somalia’s security sector reform and capacity-building efforts amid ongoing counter-terrorism operations .
