As the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the People’s Republic of China, I have had the privilege of working closely with both countries to strengthen and deepen the relationship between our nations. The diplomatic ties between Somalia and China have a long history, dating back to the 1960s, but in recent years, we have seen an increased effort to expand and enhance cooperation in various areas.
One of the key areas of cooperation between our nations is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Horn of Africa (HOA) initiatives. The BRI is a Chinese government-led infrastructure and investment program that aims to connect Asia, Europe, and Africa through a network of highways, railways, ports, and power plants. As a country located in the Horn of Africa region, Somalia is well-positioned to benefit from this initiative. The HOA initiative, on the other hand, is focused on addressing regional issues such as security and economic development.
Another area of cooperation is in the field of security. As a country that has been fighting terrorism, Somalia has been in need of support in maintaining peace and stability. China has been a valuable partner in this regard, providing technical assistance and equipment to help our security forces combat terrorism and maintain law and order.
China has also been a strong supporter of Somalia’s efforts to improve its governance and institutions. Through various capacity-building programs, China has helped to train Somali officials in areas such as public administration, economic development, and diplomacy. This assistance has been crucial in helping us to build a more effective and efficient government that is better able to serve the needs of our people.
In addition, the two countries have been working together on regional and international issues, such as the United Nations, counter-piracy, and humanitarian assistance. China has been a reliable partner in this regard, providing support and resources to help Somalia address these challenges.
I would like to take this opportunity to praise the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia and President Xi Jinping of China. Both leaders have played a crucial role in fostering strong diplomatic ties between our two countries. President Mohamud has been a strong advocate for closer ties with China, and President Xi has been a committed partner in working with Somalia to address the challenges we face.
There is no doubt that the relationship between Somalia and China has come a long way in recent years. We have built a strong foundation of cooperation and mutual respect, and there is much more that we can do together. I am confident that by working together, we can build an even stronger relationship that will bring benefits to both our nations and peoples.
In conclusion, it is evident that the relationship between Somalia and China is built on a foundation of mutual respect and cooperation. With the support of China, Somalia has been able to tackle many of the challenges it has faced, such as security, governance and regional issues. The Belt and Road Initiative and the Horn of Africa initiatives provide opportunities for the two countries to cooperate in the areas of infrastructure and economic development. As we move forward, I am confident that our two countries will continue to work together to build a stronger, more prosperous future for our people under the visionary leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and President Xi Jinping.
By Mr.Awale Ali Kullane
Somali Ambassador to China
