MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia and Serbia have agreed to restore defence cooperation within the next six months, following what officials described as a “landmark visit” by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre to Belgrade.
The visit, the first by a Somali leader to Serbia since 1988, comes as Mogadishu seeks to expand its international partnerships while rebuilding its security sector and attracting foreign investment.
In an interview with Arlaadi Media Network, Somalia’s Ambassador to Serbia, Mohamed Tov, said the two countries would also co-host an investment forum.
The event is expected to highlight business and mineral opportunities and deepen economic engagement between the two nations.
Analysts say the renewed ties reflect Somalia’s wider strategy to diversify its diplomacy, moving beyond traditional partners to foster relations with countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
For Serbia, the initiative signals Belgrade’s efforts to increase its presence in Africa, where competition for influence and investment has been intensifying.
While details of the defence arrangements have not yet been made public, officials suggested they could include training, security cooperation and knowledge-sharing to support Somalia’s efforts to stabilise the country after decades of conflict.
