Somalia

Somalia (Federal Republic of Somalia) is a country in the eastern part of the Horn of Africa, with an extensive coastline on the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. Its capital is Mogadishu. The population speaks Somali, while Arabic also has official status. The current system of government is federal, with power divided between a central government and regional administrations.

Following the collapse of the central government in 1991, Somalia experienced prolonged civil conflict, fragmented regional administrations, and an economy dependent on remittances and livestock. From 2012 onwards, federal institutions have been built and progressively engaged in addressing matters such as power-sharing, resource management, and electoral procedures. Security remains constrained by ongoing conflict with Al-Shabaab, which controls parts of the country.

Security and international operations

The African Union maintains ongoing engagement with Somalia's situation. The Peace and Security Council of the African Union, in its 1287th meeting on 3 July 2025, discussed the operations of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and decided to increase the Crisis Reserve Facility threshold to support the continued deployment of troops.

AUSSOM represents a transition from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which beginning in 2023 entered its final phases of troop drawdown. Proposals regarding the operational transition were submitted for a start date of 1 January 2025.

Somaliland and maritime disputes

Somaliland, located in the northwest, declared independence in 1991 but lacks international recognition. On 1 January 2024, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Somaliland's president Muuse Biixi Abdi concerning maritime access. Historical records of the event indicate it followed the Ankara Statement from early 2024.

Mogadishu responded to this arrangement by strengthening diplomatic and defence ties with other countries, including a defence agreement with Tanzania signed in October 2024, the details of which remain undisclosed. Reports in 2025 indicate ongoing efforts to rebuild relations between Mogadishu and Addis Ababa, as well as between Hargeisa and Addis Ababa.

Economy and institutional development

Somalia's economy is based on trade, livestock exported abroad, fishing, and remittances from the diaspora. In recent years, the federal government has prioritized rebuilding financial institutions, tax collection, and maritime resource management, working with international financial bodies.