MOGADISHU: Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, has held a strategic meeting with Sudan’s Ambassador to Somalia, Abdulrahman Khalil Ahmed Abakr Afandi, at the ministry headquarters in the capital. The talks focused on deepening bilateral relations, reinforcing historical ties, and aligning diplomatic approaches to regional security and economic developments.
The discussions examined regional cooperation frameworks and underlined the importance of a unified strategy for shared interests in the Horn of Africa. Both sides confirmed their commitment to ongoing cooperation and pledged to deepen ties aimed at promoting long‑term stability and mutual prosperity. The Sudanese envoy reaffirmed his government’s full support for Somalia’s sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity, while also commending the successful implementation of one‑person‑one‑vote local elections in Somalia — a historic milestone after 57 years.
Visa-Free Diplomatic Travel and Broader Engagement
The meeting comes barely a month after Somalia and Sudan formally agreed to waive visa requirements for all diplomatic passport holders. The landmark agreement was finalised on April 2, 2026, during the second session of the Somalia‑Sudan Political Consultative Committee in Mogadishu. The committee, co‑chaired by senior officials from both foreign ministries, also discussed expanding political dialogue, forming robust economic partnerships, and launching joint educational initiatives. The visa waiver is expected to streamline high‑level exchanges and further consolidate government‑to‑government cooperation.
In a related development, Somalia’s newly appointed ambassador to Sudan, Dr. Ahmed Jama Omar, formally presented his letters of credence in Port Sudan. The accreditation ceremony underscored Mogadishu’s commitment to expanding cooperation in political, economic, educational, and cultural domains. Sudanese foreign ministry officials welcomed the ambassador and confirmed Khartoum’s full institutional support, acknowledging the historic ties and shared interests that bind the two Horn of Africa nations.
Defence Cooperation Talks on the Sidelines of SAHA 2026
Parallel to the diplomatic engagement in Mogadishu, Somalia’s Minister of Defence, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, met with his Sudanese counterpart, General Hassan Daoud Kabroun, during the SAHA 2026 Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul. The discussions focused on establishing a framework for defence cooperation and harmonising national security priorities between the two countries. The fair, which drew a wide array of international defence companies, also hosted talks between Minister Fiqi and Turkey’s defence leadership as part of Somalia’s wider push to modernise its armed forces.
During their bilateral meeting, the two defence officials assessed potential frameworks for sustained intelligence‑sharing and exchanged combat experiences related to counter‑insurgency operations. Aligning their approaches to combating anti‑state armed groups is seen as a way to strengthen historical relations while building an integrated regional security architecture. Both delegations noted that the Istanbul talks reflected a shared determination to utilise international defence forums for building mutually beneficial security partnerships.
The defence talks also coincide with Somalia’s ongoing efforts to assume full security responsibility from international partners such as the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Minister Fiqi’s active presence at SAHA 2026 signals the Federal Government’s intent to secure advanced equipment, technical expertise, and joint training programmes from a growing network of allies. Meanwhile, Somalia has maintained a consistent policy of non‑interference in Sudan’s internal affairs while expressing full support for the country’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Mogadishu has also welcomed Sudan’s active return to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), describing it as a positive step for regional peace and security.
The coordinated diplomatic and defence engagements underscore Somalia’s proactive strategy to rebuild regional partnerships and expand its international presence. From the ministry headquarters in Mogadishu to the exhibition halls in Istanbul, the growing cooperation with Sudan reflects a shared vision for stability, economic integration and mutual prosperity in the Horn of Africa.
