Somalia, China Reaffirm Defence and Security Cooperation
GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: The federal republic of Somalia and China have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties following talks between Somalia’s Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and China’s ambassador to Somalia, Wang Yu.
According to a statement from Somalia’s Ministry of Defence, the discussions focused on enhancing cooperation between the two countries and advancing their longstanding diplomatic partnership.
Fiqi thanked Beijing for its continued support for Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, describing China as an important partner in Somalia’s efforts to strengthen state institutions and promote development.
For his part, Ambassador Wang praised Somalia’s progress in its fight against armed militant groups and commended the government’s efforts to improve security and stability.
The meeting comes as Somalia continues military operations against the Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab while seeking broader international support for security sector reforms and post-conflict reconstruction.
China has maintained diplomatic relations with Somalia for decades and has expanded its engagement in recent years through infrastructure projects, development assistance and economic cooperation. Beijing has consistently voiced support for Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in international forums.
The talks also reflect Somalia’s efforts to deepen relations with a diverse range of international partners as it pursues security, economic and governance reforms following its recent debt relief achievements and growing regional integration.
Cooperation with countries such as China remains important for Somalia as it seeks investment, infrastructure development and diplomatic backing while navigating security and political challenges in the Horn of Africa.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close cooperation and strengthening relations in areas of mutual interest, according to the statement.