(Hadalsame) 24 July 2023 – The government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has actively started to restore relations between Somalia and Russia. These two countries, which had both negative and positive histories together, have long had meaningful relations even if they ended badly back in 1978.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia, Abshir Huruse, went to Russia in May this year, and now there is a plan to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.
Many Somalis have raised questions about what makes relations between Somalia and Russia important at this time, and news has also been spread that the two countries have reached a military and security pact.
But the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia who responded to the Foreign Affairs Committee of Somalia during his trip to Moscow denied that there are any military agreements reached between Mogadishu and Moscow.
Russia is one of the countries that have the most debt in Somalia, while the federal government of Somalia is campaigning to forgive the debt of 5 billion dollars owed to the country.
Therefore, in order for the debt relief to be implemented, the government of Somalia must show special friendship to the debtor countries.
Somalia is also facing an arms embargo, while the world is waiting for the federal government of Somalia to defeat terrorism which is quite an uphill struggle since the Somali forces are ill-trained and ill-equipped.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been running a strong campaign related to an arms embargo, and Russia is one of the five countries with the most power in the Security Council, and they have a lot to do in Somalia’s campaign to lift the arms embargo.
On the other hand, we cannot forget the education grants that Russia always gives to Somali youth, but the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia, Abshir Huruse, has the courage to clarify why Russia is important for Somalia today.
“Russia is a country that we had a great relationship with them in the past, although it has not been active in recent years, they give us scholarships every year. It is one of the countries with the most debt that we are negotiating with for debt forgiveness, and it is also a country that is important for us in terms of lifting the arms embargo,” said Minister Huruse.
He added, “Because of that since they invited us, we accepted the invitation.” But there is no agreement we signed with them wether military, trade, or anything else.”
Hadalsame Media
