EU Ambassador-Designate Presents Credentials to Somali Deputy Foreign Minister

MOGADISHU — Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Hassan Mohamed Ali, received copies of the Letters of Credence of H.E. Laszlo Mathe, the European Union’s Ambassador-designate to Somalia, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Mogadishu on Saturday.

The Deputy Minister thanked the European Union for its steadfast support and backing of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, welcoming the new ambassador and wishing him success in his duties.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed Somalia-EU relations and ways to enhance cooperation in the areas of peace, security, governance and trade, in addition to exchanging views on a number of issues of mutual interest.

Deputy Minister Hassan Mohamed Ali affirmed the readiness of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide the necessary support and facilities for the work of the EU mission in Somalia in a manner that strengthens the partnership between the two sides.

EU-Somalia Partnership Continues to Deepen

The presentation of credentials comes amid ongoing engagement between Somalia and the European Union, one of Somalia’s largest development and security partners.

The EU’s previous ambassador to Somalia, Francesca Di Mauro, concluded her diplomatic mission in July 2026 and took up a new role as Director for Africa at the European External Action Service.

The European Union Political and Security Committee and the African Union Peace and Security Council have reaffirmed their firm support for Somalia’s ongoing political, economic and security transition, underscoring their commitment to safeguarding Somalia’s unity, territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty.

The EU has also agreed to deepen cooperation with Somalia’s Independent National Human Rights Commission on human rights, accountability, and governance following high-level talks in the capital.

In April 2026, the EU approved a €75 million contribution to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia under the European Peace Facility, making the bloc the mission’s largest financial donor and bringing total support to successive AU-led missions in Somalia to nearly €2.8 billion over two decades.

Somalia and the EU have also reached an agreement to boost military collaboration, emphasizing the reinforcement of the Somali National Army and maintaining global backing for current security operations.

Critical Note

The presentation of credentials by the new EU Ambassador-designate reaffirms the continued partnership between Somalia and the European Union, a relationship that remains central to Somalia’s state-building and development efforts. The Deputy Minister’s explicit thanks for EU backing of Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity reflects the importance Somalia places on international support for its territorial integrity, particularly amid ongoing disputes over Somaliland’s status and external efforts to undermine Somalia’s unity.

The timing of Ambassador Mathe’s arrival comes as the EU has extended its security and defence missions in Somalia until February 2027, demonstrating sustained institutional commitment. Challenges in the relationship remain, however. The EU has imposed visa restrictions on Somali nationals, citing what it describes as inadequate cooperation on readmission procedures. The coming months will test whether the new ambassador can maintain the positive trajectory of EU-Somalia relations while navigating these complexities.