Shortly after Somalgggggia gained independence in 1960, it established diplomatic relations with China. Both countries were members of the Non-Aligned Movement, and China viewed Somalia as an important ally in Africa during the Cold War. In the 1970s, China extended economic and technical assistance to Somalia, including building infrastructure projects such as hospitals, factories, and roads. Notably, China helped construct the National Stadium in Mogadishu, symbolizing their growing cooperation.
Somalia’s descent into civil war in the early 1990s disrupted diplomatic and economic relations with China and led to decline in relations. With the collapse of the Somali government, China's involvement diminished, and many Chinese projects were left incomplete. In recent years, China has re-engaged with Somalia as the country seeks to rebuild. China resumed diplomatic ties, provided humanitarian aid, and expressed interest in participating in Somalia’s reconstruction. Additionally, China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has raised possibilities of future economic cooperation.
I learned a lot about the relationship between Somalia and China from a Chinese friend of my family and a former diplomat who represented Somalia in China for many years. Interestingly my Chinese friend and I traveled together to Hargeisa recently, where he worked on the water system there decades ago. And the former retired diplomat is now in Hargeisa spending time with his family members. These were my source of information on this subject. I mentioned the above to give you heads up on forthcoming book on Somalia’s diplomatic deficit which covers this historical relationship between China and Somalia from variety of perspectives.
So, before the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) which was held in Beijing from September 4 to 6, 2024, there were other historical visits. Congratulations to the Somali leadership for engaging China and enabling the elevation of our diplomatic ties to strategic partnership.
Premier Zhou Enlai (1964): Zhou Enlai, then Premier of the People's Republic of China, visited Somalia in 1964 during his historic tour of Africa. This visit played a significant role in strengthening China-Somalia relations, as Zhou Enlai sought to build partnerships with African nations during the Cold War era. It marked the beginning of China’s active diplomacy in Africa and helped lay the foundation for future cooperation with Somalia. And Foreign Minister Qian Qichen (1991): Qian Qichen, China's Foreign Minister, visited Somalia shortly before the country's descent into civil war. This visit occurred during a period when China was actively maintaining diplomatic ties with several African nations, though the relationship was disrupted after the outbreak of Somalia’s conflict. It is hard to find reliable source to verify this visit from the Chinese literature. My source is from interviews with Somali diplomats and therefore stand to be corrected.
June 30, 2018, I wrote ‘US and China in Africa: a tale of two plaques - Part one’ followed by a short piece titled ‘China-Somalia: absence makes the heart grow fonder..’ in LinkedIn on September 1, 2018, which attracted a lot of attention based on the feedback and comment received then. See below if you are interested in my uncensored thoughts. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/china-somalia-absence-makes-heart-grow-fonder-mohamed-ibrahim/ and https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/africa-china-tale-two-plaques-part-one-mohamed-ibrahim/
Enter Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) 2024….
China and Somalia have elevated their diplomatic relationship to a strategic partnership during the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing. The announcement was made after Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, see above. There is now urgent need to build on this positive outcome from the forum and explore currency swap (see https://addisinsight.net/2024/09/ethiopia-and-china-seal-historic-currency-swap-deal-strengthening-trade-ties/), move towards BRICS… why not? There are certainly many win-win possibilities such as getting involved in the One belt one road (OBOR) or Belt and Road initiative (BRI). The sky is not the limit.
Comments, feedback as always welcome.
The 5 mins of fame videos can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/@MI2020.
The Feng shui of Somalia and China