Somalia's Foreign Relations

Somalia's foreign relations are conducted by the President and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Government of Somalia, based in Mogadishu. The country has been a member of the United Nations since 1960, and belongs to the African Union (formerly the Organisation of African Unity), the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). In 2024 it became a full member of the East African Community (EAC).

Between 1991 and 2012 there was no internationally recognised central government, and foreign relations were largely limited to talks on security, humanitarian aid and peacekeeping operations. Since the establishment of the Federal Government in 2012, the main aims of foreign policy have been to secure financial and military support, to defend territorial integrity, and to obtain relief on the country's older debts. In 2024 the UN General Assembly elected Somalia as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for the 2025–2026 term.

Membership of international and regional bodies

Somalia joined the East African Community on 4 March 2024, when it deposited its instrument of ratification of the Treaty of Accession in Arusha, becoming the bloc's eighth member. Its first application was made in 2012, and the heads of state of the member countries approved it in November 2023. IMF analysis indicates that accession opens up a larger market, but also requires domestic legislation, customs procedures and trade rules to be aligned with those of the bloc.

During its term on the Security Council, Somalia has sought to take a leading role on decisions concerning African peace operations and their financing. Regional media reported that Somalia assumed the rotating presidency of the Security Council at the beginning of 2026.

Turkey: defence and economic cooperation

Turkey has been among the most visible partners since 2011. On 8 February 2024 the Framework Agreement on Defence and Economic Cooperation was signed in Ankara, and was ratified by the Somali Parliament and Council of Ministers later the same month. The Office of the Prime Minister of Somalia describes it as a ten-year agreement under which Turkey is to build, train and equip the Somali navy, and to help protect the coastline against piracy and illegal fishing.

Ethiopia and the Ankara Declaration

On 1 January 2024, Ethiopia and the Somaliland administration signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on access to the sea and a port. Mogadishu called it a violation of its territorial sovereignty and recalled its ambassador from Addis Ababa. During the period of tension, Somalia strengthened ties with Egypt, Eritrea and Turkey. In December 2024, Turkish mediation produced the Ankara Declaration, which affirmed respect for Somalia's unity and sovereignty and opened talks on sea access under Somali authority. Analysts differ on how far the declaration actually annulled the Somaliland memorandum.

Egypt, the Middle East and the Gulf

On 14 August 2024, Mogadishu and Cairo signed a military cooperation agreement, and Egypt was reported to be joining the African Union mission in Somalia, delivering arms and equipment to Mogadishu in the following months. This relationship is linked to the dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. The Gulf states — particularly Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia — also fund ports, budget support and military training, which has at times caused friction between the central government and the federal member states.

The AUSSOM mission and its funding

On 1 January 2025 the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) replaced the previous mission. The Security Council adopted resolution 2809 (2025), authorising the deployment of up to 11,826 personnel, including 680 police. The estimated annual budget was about 166.5 million dollars, while the African Union announced a contribution of 20 million dollars; funding has therefore become a contested issue affecting Mogadishu's talks with the United Nations, the European Union and the United States.

Persistent challenges

Three issues shape foreign policy continuously: (1) the status of Somaliland and its pursuit of international recognition; (2) dependence on external support for the security budget and for military operations; (3) competition among regional and Gulf powers over ports and Red Sea routes. The Federal Government bases its policy on the principle of territorial unity and on the requirement that foreign agreements pass through Mogadishu, while some federal member states have established direct relations with foreign countries.