Mogadishu, Somalia — Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs declared the country an overlooked “pillar” of Red Sea and Gulf of Aden security on Saturday, asserting that stability on Somalia’s 3,300 km coastline is essential to protecting a maritime lane that carries roughly 12 percent of world seaborne trade. Writing in an Al Jazeera opinion piece, Minister Ali Omar said renewed state-building in Mogadishu positions Somalia as a front-line partner in containing piracy, trafficking and militant activity before threats reach Arabian Peninsula shores. Official statements indicate the minister framed the appeal as a strategic invitation to Gulf capitals to invest in Somali security institutions rather than rely on outside naval deployments.
Regional officials confirmed the plea comes amid rising tensions along Africa’s eastern seaboard. Local reports note that Ethiopia’s 2024 port-access agreement with the self-declared republic of Somaliland has spurred Mogadishu to seek wider Arab League support for its territorial integrity, while Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping since late 2023 have underlined the corridor’s vulnerability.
According to local sources, the minister repeated Somalia’s rejection of “external” schemes that could fragment the nation—including media-suggested plans to relocate Palestinians to Somaliland—branding such ideas grave violations of international law.
Independent observers say the warning targets Israel’s separate January decision to recognise Somaliland, a move that has not been endorsed by any other state.
The government stated it has rejoined the Arab League and the East African Community, improved public financial management and begun professionalising national forces. Sources close to the ministry say these reforms are intended to persuade Gulf donors that security-sector funds will be absorbed transparently, though no new pledges have been announced.
It remains unclear whether Somalia will contribute vessels or troops to the U.
S. -led naval task force protecting Red Sea commerce.
Further details are expected when the African Union peacekeeping transition review is delivered later this month.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
