Somali and Chinese Defence Ministers Meet in Beijing

Somalia’s Minister of Defence, Ahmed Moallin Fiqi, held high-level talks with China’s Minister of National Defence, Admiral Dong Jun, in Beijing on Thursday. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, a platform where defence officials from various nations gather to discuss regional and global security challenges. According to the GN auto geopolitics/africa: Somalia security feed, the discussions were characterized as friendly and constructive, focusing on the deepening of historic ties between the two nations.

The primary objective of the bilateral meeting was to expand cooperation in defence and security sectors. Both ministers emphasized the importance of a relationship built on mutual respect, with a specific focus on protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity. Minister Fiqi provided a detailed briefing on Somalia’s progress in maintaining stability and combating terrorist groups, while Admiral Dong Jun commended the Somali government’s efforts in state-building and the restructuring of its national armed forces.

Priorities in Military Reform

A central theme of the conversation was the Somali government’s priority to establish a trained, equipped, and capable national army. Minister Fiqi stated that the Federal Government is committed to assuming full responsibility for national security, reducing reliance on external forces for internal stability. In response, Admiral Dong Jun expressed support for these institutional capacity-building efforts, noting that a strong national army is fundamental to long-term peace and security in the region.

The two sides agreed to accelerate the implementation of existing understandings and to translate their strategic relationship into practical measures. This includes expanding technical assistance and training programs for Somali military personnel. The dialogue highlights a broader trend of Somalia diversifying its security partnerships, seeking to balance its traditional alliances with new strategic engagements that offer tangible support for its defence infrastructure.

Strategic Maritime Interests

Beyond domestic security, the talks addressed the critical issue of maritime security. According to Chinese state media, Minister Fiqi reaffirmed Somalia’s adherence to the One-China principle, describing the development of relations with Beijing as a firm strategic choice. He expressed a willingness to strengthen cooperation in maritime domains, a sector of significant interest for China due to the vital trade routes passing through the Horn of Africa.

This engagement follows a significant milestone in September 2025, when the two countries held their first ministerial-level defence meeting in nearly four decades. Since then, China has granted military scholarships to 31 Somali officers, signaling a sustained commitment to personnel development. The current meeting extends this trajectory, with both sides looking to elevate the level of cooperation between their militaries and address shared security concerns in the wider region.

Forward-Looking Security Cooperation

The practical impact of these discussions will depend on the extent to which they translate into tangible support for Somali forces, including specific equipment, training, and technical assistance. For Beijing, engagement with Somalia serves multiple interests, including securing maritime routes vital to Chinese trade and protecting Chinese nationals and investments in the country. The coming months will indicate whether this latest meeting marks a deeper shift in China’s role in Somalia’s security sector.

As the Xiangshan Forum continues, officials from other nations, including North Korea, Mauritania, and Gabon, are also holding bilateral talks with Chinese counterparts. The convergence of these discussions underscores the growing importance of the Horn of Africa in global defence diplomacy. Observers will closely watch for announcements regarding joint exercises, procurement deals, or new institutional frameworks that may emerge from these high-level engagements.