MOGADISHU: The Federal Government of Somalia and the European Union held a high-level Partnership Dialogue on 10 May 2026 under Article 3 of the Samoa Agreement, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation on security, governance, migration, and economic development. The meeting at a venue in the capital brought together senior Somali officials and EU representatives to assess progress and outline shared priorities.
The Somali delegation was led by Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama and included the ministers of Defence, Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Internal Security, Finance, Planning, Investment and Economic Development, as well as Commerce and Industry. The EU delegation was headed by Ambassador Francesca Di Mauro, the bloc’s envoy to Somalia. She was joined by ambassadors and representatives from Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden, along with officials from the EU Training Mission (EUTM) and the EU Capacity Building Mission (EUCAP) in Somalia. Ambassador Di Mauro presented her credentials to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in September 2025 and has since been actively engaged in advancing EU-Somalia relations.
The dialogue addressed the regional and international landscape, including the impact of conflicts in the Gulf region on economic stability and security. Somalia is simultaneously contending with humanitarian challenges from drought and displacement. Somali officials briefed participants on the ongoing constitutional review process and political talks aimed at achieving consensus on the national electoral framework. The EU commended these dialogue efforts and stressed the importance of preserving political stability and inclusive engagement. Ambassador Di Mauro has previously reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to inclusive politics and democratization under the EU-Somalia Joint Operational Roadmap.
Somalia also provided an update on recent military operations against Al‑Shabaab and ongoing security sector reforms aimed at improving professionalism, accountability, transparency, and institutional effectiveness. The European Union reiterated its steadfast support for Somalia’s peace and stabilization efforts, including backing for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and capacity development for Somali security forces. The bloc recently approved a €75 million contribution to AUSSOM under the European Peace Facility, making the EU 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. Separately, Somalia and the EU have agreed to boost military collaboration, including increased training initiatives, logistical and technical support to build an independent national defense force.
Both parties emphasized the need to accelerate stabilization initiatives in areas liberated from Al‑Shabaab. Officials discussed how to reinforce security gains and improve public service delivery in recovered communities, aligning with the government’s broader state‑building objectives.
On migration and mobility, the dialogue focused on addressing the root causes of irregular migration, combating human trafficking, assisting internally displaced persons (IDPs), and promoting safe, dignified return and reintegration programmes. The humanitarian situation in Somalia remains critical: approximately 3.3 million IDPs live in the country, and nearly five million people require humanitarian assistance according to the Somalia Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan.
Economic cooperation was a major theme. The two sides explored ways to improve Somalia’s investment climate, support private sector expansion, and generate employment for Somali youth through skills development and improved access to finance. The EU has allocated over €10 million in budget support linked to progress in key reform areas, with a new budget support operation planned for 2026-2027. The meeting also highlighted the importance of the upcoming EU‑Somalia Business Forum scheduled for October 2026, which will serve as a venue to expand investment opportunities and economic collaboration. EU‑backed investments could accelerate job creation, boost customs revenue, and reduce logistical bottlenecks limiting trade efficiency.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Somalia and the European Union reaffirmed their strong partnership founded on mutual interests, cooperation, and shared values. The next Partnership Dialogue is scheduled to take place within 12 months.
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