Istanbul – Somalia’s Minister of Defence, Hon. Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, held a high-level meeting with Azerbaijan’s Minister of Defence Industry, Hon. Vugar Valeh oglu Mustafayev, on the sidelines of an international defence conference in Istanbul. The two ministers discussed concrete steps to enhance bilateral military cooperation, focusing on defence industry collaboration, capacity building, and knowledge exchange.
By Horn Africa News
The meeting marked a significant step in Somalia’s strategy to diversify its security partnerships and tap into Azerbaijan’s growing defence technology and production capabilities. Minister Fiqi emphasized Somalia’s urgent need to modernize its armed forces as the country transitions into full responsibility for its own security following the phased withdrawal of African Union forces.
“We are looking for practical cooperation in areas such as military training, equipment procurement, and defence industry development. Azerbaijan’s experience can greatly support Somalia’s goal to build a capable and self-reliant national defence system,” said Minister Fiqi during the meeting.
For his part, Minister Mustafayev reaffirmed Azerbaijan’s readiness to assist Somalia in its ongoing efforts to strengthen national defence and counter-terrorism operations. He highlighted his country’s successful experience in building indigenous defence capabilities and expressed willingness to explore joint initiatives, including training programs and technology transfer.
The two sides agreed to establish a technical working group to follow up on the outcomes of the meeting and begin drafting a framework for military-industrial cooperation.
This meeting reflects Somalia’s broader diplomatic approach to forge new alliances and deepen ties with non-traditional partners beyond its immediate region. It comes amid Somalia’s renewed efforts to professionalize its military, secure its borders, and eliminate threats posed by extremist groups like Al-Shabaab.
The defence ministers also discussed regional and international security issues of mutual interest, reaffirming the importance of collaboration in today’s complex global security environment.
Somalia has recently pursued similar talks with several other countries as part of its National Security Architecture, aiming to rebuild a strong, accountable, and modern defence sector.
