Somalia and Saudi Arabia have signed a new military cooperation agreement in Riyadh, marking what Somali officials describe as a significant step in strengthening bilateral defense ties at a time of heightened regional competition.

Somalia’s Defense Minister, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, announced that he and Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman formalized a memorandum of understanding aimed at expanding defense and military collaboration across multiple areas of shared interest.

While specific provisions were not publicly disclosed, Somali authorities said the agreement is intended to reinforce security coordination and enhance institutional cooperation.

Prince Khalid bin Salman indicated that discussions included the future of security partnerships and defense industry opportunities, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s broader strategic engagement beyond its immediate borders.

The announcement followed meetings with defense representatives from several countries, underscoring Riyadh’s expanding diplomatic and military outreach.

The agreement comes amid shifting dynamics in the Horn of Africa.

In recent weeks, Israel announced it would recognize Somaliland, a northern region that declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remains internationally unrecognized.

Mogadishu has firmly rejected the move, describing it as interference in its domestic affairs and a challenge to its territorial integrity.

Somalia has also strengthened ties with other Gulf partners.

A separate defense pact with Qatar, reported last month, focuses on military training and security cooperation.

Analysts view these agreements as part of Somalia’s broader effort to consolidate external support while rebuilding national security institutions.

The Horn of Africa, strategically positioned along the Gulf of Aden and near the Bab el-Mandeb strait, has become a focal point for regional and global powers.

The waterway is a critical artery for international trade, with roughly ten percent of global shipping passing through it.

Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have increased investments, diplomatic engagement and security involvement across the region in recent years.

Relations between Somalia and the United Arab Emirates have cooled following disagreements over port operations and security arrangements.

Mogadishu has accused the UAE of supporting initiatives it perceives as undermining Somali sovereignty, including alleged links to developments surrounding Somaliland.

The UAE has not publicly accepted those characterizations.

Somali officials and security analysts argue that closer cooperation with Saudi Arabia could bolster the country’s efforts to rebuild its armed forces and strengthen maritime security.

Somalia continues to confront insurgent threats, particularly from al-Shabab, and has faced recurring security challenges including high-profile attacks in the capital, Mogadishu.

Supporters of the deal say enhanced training, intelligence sharing and defense coordination will improve the professionalism and operational capacity of Somalia’s national army.

They also view the agreement as providing important diplomatic backing at a sensitive moment for the country’s territorial claims.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has reiterated that Somalia will not accept any foreign military presence in Somaliland without the consent of the federal government, emphasizing the country’s commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty.

The new partnership with Saudi Arabia highlights the intensifying contest for influence along the Red Sea corridor and reflects Somalia’s attempt to position itself strategically within that evolving landscape.