Mogadishu, Somalia – Swedish Defence Minister Pål Jonson arrived in Mogadishu on Tuesday for an official visit aimed at strengthening defence and security cooperation between Sweden and Somalia, according to the Somali Ministry of Defence.
During the visit, Jonson is scheduled to meet his Somali counterpart, Minister of Defence Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, and other senior military officials to discuss ongoing efforts to enhance Somalia’s security institutions and regional stability. The talks are expected to focus on Sweden’s support for security sector reform, capacity-building for the Somali National Army, and joint efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremism.
The visit underscores Sweden’s growing engagement in Somalia’s post-conflict recovery and stabilization agenda, particularly in bolstering governance and the rule of law within the defence sector. Sweden has been a longstanding partner in Somalia’s peacebuilding process, contributing to European Union training missions and funding programs that promote inclusive security and institutional resilience.
Officials say the meeting will also review Sweden’s humanitarian and development assistance in areas affected by insecurity and climate shocks, linking defence cooperation with broader peace and development initiatives.
Jonson’s trip marks one of the highest-level Swedish defence visits to Somalia in recent years and comes at a critical time as the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) continues to hand over security responsibilities to Somali forces under the ongoing transition plan.
The Somali government views the visit as a reaffirmation of international confidence in its security reforms and its push toward achieving full security self-reliance.