Moscow (Somalia Today) – Somalia’s latest defence talks with Russia signal Mogadishu’s growing effort to widen its security partnerships as it rebuilds its armed forces and presses ahead with operations against Al-Shabaab.
Somalia’s State Minister for Defence Omar Ali Abdi met Russian Deputy Defence Minister Vasily Osmakov in Moscow on May 30 for talks on expanding defence cooperation between the two countries.
The meeting did not produce a public arms deal, a training package, or a formal military assistance agreement. But it added to a steady series of contacts between Mogadishu and Moscow at a time when Somalia is seeking broader international backing for its security, humanitarian and diplomatic priorities.
Russia’s defence ministry said the talks focused on “promising areas of bilateral cooperation in the defence sphere.”
“The parties confirmed their commitment to developing constructive dialogue and mutual interest in the gradual strengthening of military ties,” the ministry said.
Somalia’s defence ministry said in a statement the talks centred on shared priorities, particularly ways to reinforce defence relations between the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Russian Federation.
The two officials stressed the need to continue practical dialogue and reaffirmed what Somali officials described as a shared commitment to promote and deepen defence cooperation.
Neither side announced a specific arms deal, training package or formal military assistance agreement after the meeting.
Security drive
The talks come as Somalia continues to rebuild its national army and seek broader international support for its fight against Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-linked group that has waged an insurgency against the federal government for nearly two decades.
Somali forces, backed by international partners, continue to conduct operations in central and southern Somalia, where Al-Shabaab still controls rural areas and carries out attacks against government, military and civilian targets.
Mogadishu has strengthened defence and security ties with Turkey, the United States, the African Union, Arab states, and regional partners as it works to assume greater responsibility for national security.
The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, known as AUSSOM, replaced ATMIS in January 2025 and continues to support Somali forces in operations against Al-Shabaab and Islamic State-linked militants.
Somalia has also pushed to better equip its forces.
The UN Security Council lifted the general arms embargo on Somalia’s government in December 2023, ending restrictions first imposed in 1992 during the civil war. Separate UN measures targeting Al-Shabaab and other non-state actors remain in force.
Russia has previously signalled interest in supporting Somalia’s security sector. In 2023, Somali diplomats said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had offered military support during talks with his Somali counterpart in Moscow.
“Russia was ready to provide Somalia’s army with military supplies, to strengthen the government’s fight against Al-Shabaab,” one diplomat said at the time.
The latest Moscow meeting suggests both governments want to keep defence cooperation on the table, even if they have not yet announced a detailed framework.
Wider engagement
The defence talks form part of a wider expansion in relations between Somalia and Russia.
In February 2026, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding in Geneva to strengthen cooperation in the health sector.
The agreement covered professional training, the exchange of expertise, the regulation of medicines and medical equipment, maternal and newborn health, digital health technologies, and nuclear medicine.
Somali officials said the agreement reflected the government’s wider effort to diversify partnerships and bring technical support into key public sectors.
Russia has also provided humanitarian assistance to Somalia. In late 2023 and early 2024, Somalia received two Russian wheat shipments, each reported at 25,000 tonnes, as part of Moscow’s wider grain support to several African countries.
Somalia’s disaster management agency said the aid would support communities affected by drought, floods and food insecurity.
Diplomatic contacts have also increased.
In April 2025, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, who also serves as President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy for the Middle East and Africa, visited Mogadishu and met President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at Villa Somalia.
Somali state media said Bogdanov delivered an official invitation from Putin for Hassan Sheikh to attend the Russia-Arab League summit.
In May 2025, Somalia’s Upper House Speaker Abdi Hashi Abdullahi travelled to Moscow for talks aimed at strengthening parliamentary ties with Russia’s Federation Council.
Somalia has also taken part in Russia-Africa meetings as part of its wider push to expand economic diplomacy and build ties beyond its traditional partners.
Sovereignty support
Russia has also backed Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, a position that has gained renewed significance since Israel formally recognised Somaliland in December 2025.
Somalia condemned the move as a violation of its sovereignty and said it would pursue diplomatic, political and legal measures to defend its internationally recognised borders.
At the UN Security Council, Russia criticised Israel’s decision and warned that it could heighten tensions in the Horn of Africa.
Russia’s representative said the recognition “runs counter to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and unity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.”
She said Moscow understood Somalia’s reaction and warned that the move could damage efforts to fight Al-Shabaab.
“Russia will continue to support Mogadishu in its fight against international terrorism and attempts at unilateral political and economic pressure,” she said.
For Somalia, Russia’s position strengthens its diplomatic campaign to defend territorial unity and secure support from major powers.
For Moscow, closer ties with Somalia offer another opening in the Horn of Africa, a region shaped by Red Sea security, counterterrorism operations and competition among foreign powers.
The Moscow defence talks did not produce a public agreement, but they added to a steady pattern of contact between the two governments.
