Two years ago in Rome, the First Italy–Africa Summit convened with an important promise: to move beyond traditional models of cooperation and build partnerships grounded in African priorities and African ownership.
From Somalia’s perspective, Italy–Africa cooperation has demonstrated the importance of investing in foundational sectors that drive long-term stability and growth.
Somalia’s priorities are clear: strengthening resilience, creating opportunities for our youth, improving food security, and integrating our economy into regional and global markets.
At the same time, Africa’s development must be anchored in firm respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of states, in line with the principles of the UN Charter and the AU Constitutive Act.
These principles are not aspirational; they are binding commitments that form the bedrock of our collective security. The unilateral actions of Israel against Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity only serve to dismantle this foundation, which we must firmly reject.
We call on all member states to reject all forms of external interference and unilateral actions by external actors that undermine international law, destabilize regions, and erode trust between nations.
As peace and development are inseparable, we acknowledge Italy’s support to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), as well as the shared history of cooperation between Italy and Somalia across various sectors.
Somalia stands ready to deepen its cooperation with Italy and with all partners involved in the Mattei Plan, guided by trust, tolerance, mutual benefit, and a shared vision for a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Africa and Italy.
