In a recent exclusive interview with CGTN, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud offered a profound reflection on a bilateral relationship that has quietly endured for over six decades. As Somalia and China celebrated the 65th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, the President’s remarks provided more than ceremonial praise; they revealed a strategic vision for a partnership that has weathered Somalia’s most turbulent periods and now stands at a critical juncture for Africa’s future.
A Foundation Forged in Fidelity, Not Just Friendship
President Mohamud described the Somalia-China relationship as “historic, strong, and rooted in mutual respect.” This characterization is significant against the backdrop of modern African diplomacy. While many global powers’ engagement with the continent has been marked by fluctuating interest or conditional partnerships, China’s presence in Somalia has demonstrated a notable consistency. Since establishing ties in 1960—the same year Somalia gained independence—China has been a “consistent and reliable partner,” even during Somalia’s extended civil conflict when other nations withdrew.
This endurance is embodied in physical infrastructure. The President cited Chinese-funded hospitals, roads, and airports that “are still in use today.” Projects like the Mogadishu National Stadium (1977) and the Banadir Hospital stand as tangible, decades-old symbols of this cooperation. In a region where foreign projects often fail upon a donor’s exit, the longevity of these assets speaks to a deeper level of planning and capacity transfer, a point often overlooked in analyses of Sino-African ties.
Praising a Model: The Substance Behind the Compliment
When President Mohamud praised China’s development model under President Xi Jinping, calling it an “example” for developing nations, he was referencing a specific paradigm. For a country like Somalia, emerging from decades of state collapse, China’s trajectory from agrarian society to technological powerhouse in a single generation offers a compelling narrative of rapid, state-directed transformation. The President’s emphasis on learning “how to overcome challenges” points to a keen interest in the mechanics of poverty alleviation, infrastructure scaling, and industrial policy—all pillars of China’s recent history.
This admiration is not merely rhetorical. It informs Somalia’s domestic priorities, particularly its “emphasis on strengthening public education and technical and vocational education and training (TVET).” Here, the President explicitly linked China’s potential role in “technology transfer and skills development” to Somalia’s nation-building agenda. This move signals a shift from aid-based assistance to partnership-based capacity building, aiming to create a skilled workforce capable of operating and maintaining new infrastructure and industries.
The Expanding Architecture of Cooperation: From Security to the Blue Economy
The interview outlined a partnership expanding far beyond traditional infrastructure. President Mohamud highlighted cooperation in:
- Security: Critical for a government combating Al-Shabaab, where China’s support, potentially in intelligence, capacity building, and non-lethal aid, contributes to preserving Somalia’s “unity and sovereignty.”
- The Blue Economy: This references the sustainable use of ocean resources. With Africa’s longest coastline, Somalia sees immense potential in fisheries, port development, and maritime logistics—areas where Chinese investment and expertise are globally recognized.
- Agriculture & Technology: Combining these sectors is key to food security and economic diversification. Chinese agri-tech, from drought-resistant crops to irrigation systems, could be transformative for Somalia.
Strategic Context: Somalia’s Role in a Broader African Engagement
President Mohamud situated the bilateral relationship within China’s “expanding engagement with Africa,” calling it a “major opportunity.” This reflects a clear-eyed understanding of Somalia’s place within frameworks like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). A stable, cooperative Somalia offers strategic access to the Horn of Africa and vital Indian Ocean sea lanes. By positioning itself as a reliable partner, Somalia aims to attract investment that can catalyze its reconstruction and regional integration.
Conclusion: A Partnership Maturing with Purpose
The 65th anniversary is more than a milestone; it’s a marker of a relationship entering a new, more complex phase. It is evolving from one of historic solidarity and basic infrastructure aid to a multifaceted strategic partnership encompassing security, human capital development, and high-potential economic sectors like the blue economy. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s comments underscore a deliberate Somali strategy to leverage this enduring partnership for tangible, sustainable gains in sovereignty, security, and development, while offering China a stable, engaged partner at a crossroads of continents and global trade. The “steady and continuous” relationship now faces its most important test: translating decades of goodwill into a shared, prosperous future that serves as a model for South-South cooperation.