Mogadishu: Somalia's defense minister, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, announced a significant development in defense collaboration by signing a military deal with Saudi Arabia's Prince Khalid Bin Salman in Riyadh. The details of the agreement remain undisclosed, but the memorandum of understanding aims to enhance defense and military cooperation, covering multiple areas of mutual interest, as stated by the Somali Ministry of Defence.
According to Deutsche Welle, Prince Khalid Bin Salman highlighted discussions on the future of security and the defense industry after meeting with defense officials from several countries, including Somalia. This agreement follows Israel's recent announcement to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia, as an independent state—a move Somalia has rejected, citing interference in its domestic affairs.
Last month, Somalia also signed a defense pact with Qatar, targeting military training and security collaboration. Former BBC Somali editor and Horn of Africa analyst, Abdullahi Abdi Sheikh, emphasized the importance of the Somalia-Saudi Arabia agreement for both countries. For Saudi Arabia, it represents an expansion of influence in the Gulf of Aden, adjacent to the crucial Bab-el-Mandeb area, through which a significant portion of global shipping passes.
Abdi Sheikh noted that Saudi Arabia aims to extend its influence in Somalia, a country that has had strained relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE has become an influential player in the Horn of Africa, engaging in substantial investments and military support. The growing rivalry between the UAE and Saudi Arabia extends beyond Yemen and the Red Sea, with the Horn of Africa becoming a strategic focus for both nations.
A senior diplomat at the African Union summit remarked that Saudi Arabia has realized the strategic importance of the Red Sea. Abdi Sheikh further explained that the military deal would enable Somalia to enhance its maritime security and counter-terrorism efforts, while also reducing the influence of countries perceived to support Israel's recognition of Somaliland.
Somalia has accused the UAE of facilitating Israel's recognition of Somaliland, viewing it as a violation of its sovereignty. In response, Somalia canceled agreements with the UAE earlier this year, including those related to ports, security, and defense. Sheikh characterized the agreement with Saudi Arabia as a strategic move against Israel and its allies.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has stated that Somalia will not allow an Israeli base in Somaliland and will confront any such attempts. Somali security analyst Hassan Hilowle Abukar expressed optimism about the Saudi Arabia deal, seeing it as beneficial for tackling instability and insurgent violence in Somalia.
Abukar noted that the agreement would strengthen Somalia's defense capabilities through training and equipping the national army, enhancing counter-terrorism cooperation, and intelligence sharing with Saudi Arabia. Mohamed Abdullahi, a Somali citizen, emphasized the agreement's importance in providing military assistance and political backing at a critical time for Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, particularly following Israel's recognition of Somaliland.