MOGADISHU — Somalia’s Minister of Internal Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail (Fartaag), has held talks with Switzerland’s Ambassador to Somalia, Mirko Giulietti, in the capital, with discussions focusing on strengthening bilateral security cooperation.
The meeting, which took place in Mogadishu, centered on enhancing counterterrorism efforts, intelligence sharing, and the fortification of Somalia’s security institutions, according to an official readout.
Focus on Counterterrorism and Intelligence
A principal topic of the discussion was the augmentation of joint counterterrorism measures. The officials emphasized the need for greater cooperation in intelligence exchange, security personnel training, and technical assistance to address threats facing the nation.
Minister Fartaag expressed gratitude to Switzerland for its sustained assistance, highlighting that the partnership is instrumental in fostering peace, stability, and national advancement in Somalia.
Switzerland’s Broader Engagement with Somalia
The meeting with Minister Fartaag follows a pattern of growing diplomatic engagement between Mogadishu and Bern. Switzerland has been actively strengthening its partnership with Somalia on federalism and state-building, with Swiss officials previously holding high-level talks with Somalia’s Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, Ali Yusuf Ali Hosh.
Ambassador Giulietti, who presented his credentials to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in September 2024, serves as Switzerland’s Head of Mission and Permanent Representative to Somalia. He has also engaged with Somali officials on humanitarian issues, including meetings with the Somalia Disaster Management Agency (SODMA) to discuss drought response strategies.
Expanding International Security Partnerships
Minister Fartaag has been actively expanding Somalia’s international security partnerships. He previously held bilateral talks with Qatar’s Minister of State for Interior Affairs in Doha, focusing on strengthening security coordination and intelligence sharing between Mogadishu and Doha.
Fartaag also represented Somalia at the 93rd INTERPOL General Assembly in Marrakech, where he emphasized Somalia’s dedication to expanding its role in international security partnerships and gaining technical assistance for Somali security forces.
Somalia and INTERPOL have deepened cooperation to tackle transnational crime, with Fartaag leading discussions on improving data-sharing, operational coordination, and capacity-building through INTERPOL’s global policing tools.
The meeting with Ambassador Giulietti underscores the Federal Government’s broader strategy of engaging international partners to secure support for sustainable peace, security sector reform, and institutional advancement.
