BAKU — President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan has officially received the credentials of Somalia’s newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan, Abdinur Dahir Fidow, during a ceremony held on April 14.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Fidow presented his credentials and conveyed greetings from President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. President Aliyev welcomed the message and asked that his own greetings be reciprocated to the Somali leader.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
President Aliyev recalled the official visit of the Somali President to Azerbaijan last year, noting that it was an important milestone in strengthening bilateral relations. He mentioned that the visit led to productive discussions and the signing of agreements aimed at expanding cooperation between the two nations.
The Azerbaijani President stressed the importance of enhancing economic cooperation and strengthening political relations, while wishing the new Somali Ambassador success in his diplomatic mission.
Ambassador Fidow expressed gratitude for his appointment and reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to deepening relations with Azerbaijan, indicating his readiness to work toward expanding bilateral cooperation.
Growing Diplomatic Engagement
The meeting follows the appointment of Ambassador Fidow as Somalia’s first resident ambassador to Azerbaijan earlier this year. In February 2026, he presented a copy of his credentials to Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, who expressed confidence that the new ambassador would spare no effort to further develop relations between the two nations.
Foreign Minister Bayramov reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s full support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia within its internationally recognized borders during that meeting.
Defense Cooperation Agreement Ratified
The diplomatic engagement builds on significant progress in defense cooperation between the two nations. In May 2025, President Aliyev ratified the landmark “Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Defense and Defense Industry” between Azerbaijan and Somalia, originally signed during President Mohamud’s official visit to Baku in February 2025.
According to Azerbaijani officials, the agreement allows for knowledge exchange, joint exercises, capacity building, and possible arms production cooperation. Somali officials welcomed the move, noting it supports Somalia’s ongoing efforts to modernize its national defense infrastructure amid regional security challenges.
High-Level Diplomatic Talks
In July 2025, Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, held a high-level meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Jeyhun Bayramov, in Baku, signaling a fresh push to strengthen bilateral relations. Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in key areas including trade, education, energy, infrastructure development, and diplomatic engagement. Both ministers emphasized the importance of deepening political dialogue and promoting mutual support in multilateral forums.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to initiate technical consultations aimed at outlining specific cooperation frameworks, with both sides agreeing to consider the signing of Memoranda of Understanding in areas of mutual interest.
ASAN Khidmet Public Service Model
The meeting also highlighted growing collaboration between the two countries in bilateral and multilateral frameworks, including international organizations. The implementation of the “ASAN Khidmet” public service model in Somalia was highlighted as part of ongoing cooperation following agreements made during the Somali presidential visit.
During his official visit to Baku in February 2025, President Mohamud visited the “ASAN Xidmet” center to familiarize himself with its activities. Impressed by the service’s impact, he emphasized that ASAN Khidmet, established through the personal initiative of President Aliyev, plays a crucial role in ensuring public access to services. He expressed gratitude to President Aliyev for innovating public services in Somalia based on Azerbaijan’s experience.
Educational Cooperation and Scholarships
Both sides reviewed educational cooperation, recalling historical ties from the Soviet period when Somali students studied in Azerbaijan. It was noted that Somali students continue to benefit from the Heydar Aliyev Scholarship program.
In December 2024, Somalia’s then-non-resident Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Fathudin Ali Mohamed, visited the Baku Higher Oil School to explore potential avenues for bilateral academic cooperation in education, including discussions on enrolling Somali students for the 2025/2026 academic year under the Heydar Aliyev grant program.
Somalia’s Solidarity with Azerbaijan
Somalia has demonstrated solidarity with Azerbaijan during moments of international tragedy. In December 2024, the Somali government expressed profound condolences following the crash of Azerbaijan Airlines Flight J2-8243, with Ambassador Fathudin Ali Mohammed Ospite conveying Somalia’s sympathy and solidarity.
Commitment to Stronger Ties
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The meeting also highlighted growing collaboration between the two countries in bilateral and multilateral frameworks, including international organizations. Both sides stressed the importance of increasing high-level exchanges and building on recent diplomatic momentum.
Discussions further focused on expanding cooperation in trade, economic development, education, and governance. The two sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest, underscoring the strong potential for expanding cooperation in various sectors.
