Somalia and Pakistan Pledge to Deepen Bilateral Cooperation in Amman Meeting

AMMAN — The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, has held a bilateral meeting with Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting on Jerusalem hosted by Jordan in the capital Amman.

The two ministers discussed bilateral relations and matters of mutual concern, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation between Somalia and Pakistan, particularly in the areas of diplomacy, the economy, and social development priorities.

The meeting builds on a series of high-level engagements between Mogadishu and Islamabad in recent months. Somalia is currently in advanced negotiations with Pakistan to purchase up to 24 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, with the potential $900 million agreement marking the nation’s most ambitious attempt since 1991 to reestablish a sovereign air combat capability. Pakistani Defence Production Minister Raza Hayat Harraj highlighted the financial logic behind the deal, noting that the JF-17 offers a cost-effective alternative to Western options that cost more than three times as much.

Growing Strategic Partnership

The Amman meeting builds on a series of high-level engagements between Mogadishu and Islamabad in recent months. In November 2025, the two foreign ministers met in Brussels on the sidelines of the 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum to discuss expanding partnership in diplomacy, security, trade, education, health, and institutional capacity-building.

Somalia has also partnered with Pakistan to enhance cooperation on internal security, border management, and digital identity infrastructure, with a high-level Somali delegation led by Interior Minister Ali Yusuf Ali visiting Islamabad for official talks. The two nations agreed to enhance cooperation on training programs, disaster response, and joint counterterrorism initiatives, with Pakistan announcing visa facilitations for Somali nationals seeking medical care and education.

Defence Cooperation and JF-17 Fighter Jet Negotiations

Somalia and Pakistan have been deepening their defence partnership in recent months. In August 2025, Somalia’s federal cabinet approved a defence memorandum of understanding with Pakistan, alongside similar accords with Jordan and Qatar, aimed at boosting Somalia’s defence capabilities through training programmes, resource sharing, and modernisation of the national army.

Somalia is currently in advanced negotiations with Pakistan to purchase up to 24 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets in a potential $900 million agreement that would mark the nation’s most ambitious attempt since 1991 to reestablish a sovereign air combat capability. The high-stakes discussions accelerated following a February 2026 diplomatic visit to Islamabad by Somali Air Force Commander Mohamud Sheikh Ali.

“Our airspace must be protected by Somali hands,” a Somali defence ministry official stated, portraying the acquisition as a profound statement of political sovereignty and institutional resurgence. Pakistani Defence Production Minister Raza Hayat Harraj highlighted the financial logic behind the deal, noting that while some Western options may be more technologically advanced, they cost more than three times as much as a JF-17.

MT Honour 25 Hostage Situation

The two ministers also discussed ongoing efforts to secure the release of Pakistani nationals aboard the MT Honour 25, a Palau-flagged oil tanker hijacked off Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region on April 21, 2026, with 17 crew members aboard, including ten Pakistani sailors. The incident has drawn growing concern in Pakistan, where families of the hostages say conditions aboard the vessel have deteriorated during their captivity, with sailors facing shortages of food and clean drinking water.

Minister Abdisalam reiterated the Somali Government’s persistent dedication to supporting measures ensuring the safety and prompt release of the hostages, assuring Dar of his government’s continued and sincere efforts to secure their release at the earliest opportunity. Both ministers agreed to maintain close coordination until the matter is fully resolved.

Critical Note

While the meeting between Foreign Minister Abdisalam Ali and his Pakistani counterpart reflects the growing momentum in Somalia-Pakistan relations, the challenge remains in translating diplomatic engagement into tangible outcomes that benefit ordinary Somalis. The defence cooperation and the potential JF-17 fighter jet deal, while strategically significant, raise questions about Somalia’s ability to sustain and operate such advanced military equipment given the country’s limited defence budget and institutional capacity. The reported $900 million price tag for the fighter jets represents a substantial financial commitment for a country still recovering from decades of conflict and facing persistent humanitarian crises. Furthermore, while Pakistan’s offer of a comprehensive defence partnership with fewer political strings than Western alternatives is appealing, it also carries risks, including potential over-reliance on a single supplier for critical military capabilities. The government would be well advised to ensure that defence spending is balanced against pressing social and economic needs, and that any major procurement is accompanied by transparent oversight and accountability mechanisms. The unresolved hostage situation involving Pakistani sailors also underscores the persistent maritime security challenges that continue to undermine Somalia’s sovereignty and international reputation.