Mogadishu (Somalia Today) — Somalia has signaled a decisive pivot toward Beijing, upgrading its relationship with China to a strategic partnership and embracing a suite of Chinese-led global initiatives.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in remarks aired by China Media Group, praised Beijing’s leadership and said China’s approach aligns with Somalia’s development and security priorities.
In the interview, Mohamud endorsed four global initiatives launched by President Xi Jinping: the Global Development Initiative (2021), Global Security Initiative (2022), Global Civilization Initiative (2023), and the Global Governance Initiative (2025). Each initiative, he said, offers principles relevant to a fragmented world.
“At the principle level — respect for sovereignty, alternative development models, not exploiting others’ weaknesses — these are fundamentals we agree with and will support in the global framework,” Mohamud said.
Diplomatic upgrade
The shift became formal during a state visit to Beijing in September 2024. There, Mohamud and Xi announced the elevation of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership at the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation summit.
Xi noted that Somalia was the first East African country to establish diplomatic ties with the People’s Republic of China in 1960. “Our traditional friendship has withstood many tests,” he said.
President Mohamud echoed this sentiment, calling China “a reliable and trusted partner” and commending Xi’s “very effective leadership.”
In addition, he cited growing exchanges between Somali ministries and Chinese institutions. These include visits to observe China’s development trajectory and draw lessons.
This re-engagement follows decades of interruption. China closed its Mogadishu embassy in 1991 amid Somalia’s civil war. It later resumed diplomatic presence in 2014.
During the Cold War, Beijing supported infrastructure projects in Somalia and relied on Mogadishu’s backing to gain its UN Security Council seat in 1971.
Backing Beijing’s vision
President Mohamud’s alignment with Xi’s international agenda underscores the ideological shift. He emphasized that while countries differ in geography and development levels, these initiatives offer unifying principles.
Somalia has also joined the International Organization for Mediation. This newly launched platform, led by Beijing, seeks to resolve disputes through dialogue. “That framework is useful for helping each country face its unique challenges,” Mohamud said.
Beyond mediation, Somalia aims to benefit from the Global Development Initiative, which channels investment into infrastructure.
Under the Global Security Initiative, Somali officials support China’s focus on indivisible security. This aligns with Mogadishu’s stance on sovereignty and national unity.
Meanwhile, Somali diplomats praised the Global Governance Initiative, introduced at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. They view it as a call for fairer international structures that reflect the needs of developing nations.
Deepening cooperation
In a major development, Somalia and China held their first-ever defense ministerial meeting in 2025.
Then Somali Defense Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur and Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun met in Beijing. Their talks occurred on the sidelines of the Xiangshan Forum — China’s leading multilateral security platform.
China pledged to support Somalia with military training, logistics, and counterterrorism cooperation. Somalia welcomed help in modernizing its army, coast guard, and police. “We are very grateful for the recent support to Somalia in the security sector,” Mohamud said.
These discussions came amid Somalia’s ongoing offensive against Al-Shabaab.
The government is also preparing for the withdrawal of the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia. Beijing has voiced concern over a premature exit. It urged international partners to maintain support during the transition.
At the UN Security Council, China backed the lifting of the arms embargo on the Somali government. This marked the end of a three-decade restriction imposed during Somalia’s collapse in the 1990s.
Chinese diplomats argued that Somalia had made sufficient progress to justify receiving arms directly.
China also supports Somalia’s territorial integrity, including in contested areas like Somaliland.
Beijing affirms that all foreign engagement should go through Somalia’s federal government. This mirrors China’s own position on separatist movements and aligns with Mogadishu’s unified state policy.
Recalibrating alliances
Somalia’s tilt toward China does not signal a break from Western partners.
The U.S. and European Union remain key backers, especially in the security and humanitarian sectors. However, Mohamud’s administration seeks to diversify partnerships and reduce overreliance.
China’s appeal lies in its willingness to offer investment and training without attaching political conditions. Moreover, its emphasis on sovereignty resonates with Somali officials navigating a post-conflict recovery.
For Beijing, stronger ties with Somalia serve strategic goals. Somalia borders the Gulf of Aden and lies close to China’s overseas base in Djibouti. That makes it a critical node in China’s broader maritime and diplomatic ambitions.
“Somalia aspires to security and stability, and regards China as a reliable and trustworthy partner,” Mohamud said in Beijing. The message was clear: both sides now view their relationship not as transactional, but as long-term and strategic.
