Riyadh (Somalia Today) – Saudi Arabia has formally approved the appointment of a close aide to the Somali president as ambassador to the kingdom, an official document showed Monday, as Mogadishu strengthens ties with Riyadh amid a deepening rift with the United Arab Emirates.
The Saudi foreign ministry conveyed its agreement to the nomination of Mohamed Amin Sheikh Osman in a diplomatic note dated February 16, confirming a request submitted by Mogadishu in December.
The approval, known as agrément, clears the way for Osman to present his credentials and assume the post at a time of intense diplomatic maneuvering across the Horn of Africa.
Osman, a former deputy chief of staff at Villa Somalia—the presidential palace—previously served in senior roles under President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
He replaces Aweys Haji Yusuf, who was recalled in August 2025 to serve as national security adviser, signalling the high priority Mogadishu places on the Riyadh posting.
‘Strategic counterweight’
The diplomatic reshuffle comes as Somalia seeks to consolidate alliances following a sharp deterioration in relations with the UAE.
Last month, Somalia’s federal government annulled all agreements with Abu Dhabi, including port deals and security cooperation pacts, accusing the Emirates of undermining its sovereignty.
The move exposed deep internal fractures, with several Somali regional states rejecting Mogadishu’s decision and pledging to maintain ties with the UAE.
Somali officials view Saudi Arabia as a crucial diplomatic and economic counterweight in the region.
Earlier this month, the two nations signed a military cooperation agreement in Riyadh, aimed at bolstering Somalia’s national army after decades of instability.
Sovereignty crisis
The appointment also follows a seismic shift in regional politics late last year when Israel formally recognised Somaliland, a breakaway region that declared independence from Somalia in 1991.
The move made Israel the first country to recognise the territory, and Mogadishu condemned it as an assault on its territorial integrity.
Saudi Arabia has publicly backed Somalia’s sovereignty in the wake of the recognition, aligning with the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which warned the move set a “dangerous precedent.”
Mogadishu has long opposed foreign agreements involving Somaliland, including the UAE’s development of the Berbera port, which remains a flashpoint in Gulf-Horn relations.
Security and trade
Beyond geopolitics, the Riyadh embassy oversees vital economic interests.
Saudi Arabia remains the primary market for Somali livestock exports—a lifeline for the economy—particularly during the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Remittances from Somali workers in the Gulf also provide essential support for households back home.
Security coordination remains a priority as Somalia battles the Al-Shabaab insurgency.
Despite major military offensives backed by international partners, the Al-Qaeda-linked group continues to stage attacks as the government prepares for nationwide direct elections later this year.
The diplomatic note seen Monday said the new appointment was expected to “strengthen cooperation” between the two nations during a critical transition period.
