Somalia, Saudi Arabia Sign Defense Pact Amid Geopolitical Shifts in HoA and Gulf

GOOBJOOG NEWS|RIYADH: Somalia and Saudi Arabia have signed a new military cooperation agreement as part of ongoing efforts by Mogadishu to strengthen security partnerships amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Horn of Africa.

The agreement was signed by the Minister of Defence of the Federal Government of Somalia, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, and his Saudi counterpart, Khalid bin Salman.

According to the Somali government, the pact is aimed at deepening defence and military cooperation between the two countries and covers areas of mutual interest, including capacity building, coordination, and support for Somalia’s security institutions.

The signing took place on the sidelines of the World Defense Show in Riyadh, where Prince Khalid bin Salman met defence ministers and senior officials from multiple countries. In a public statement following the meetings, the Saudi defence official said he was pleased to engage with counterparts at the event, noting that discussions focused on the future of security and the defence industry, as well as emerging opportunities showcased at the exhibition. He added that he signed and witnessed the signing of several memoranda of understanding and agreements during the forum, including the deal with Somalia.

Somali officials say the agreement aligns with the federal government’s broader strategy to rebuild the Somali National Armed Forces and strengthen cooperation with trusted regional partners as the country continues its campaign against Al-Shabaab and works to stabilise recovered territories. Saudi Arabia has long been a political and economic partner of Somalia, and the latest agreement signals a further elevation of bilateral ties.

The deal comes at a time of heightened geopolitical activity in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. Somalia has been recalibrating its external security relationships in recent years, seeking to diversify partnerships and reinforce state authority over defence and foreign policy.