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Somalia and Indonesia have agreed to deepen their partnership through stronger cooperation in trade, agriculture, maritime affairs, education, and health. This comes after a historic visit by Somalia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, to Jakarta on July 31, 2025. It was the first official trip by a Somali foreign minister to Indonesia, marking a new chapter in the relationship between the two countries.
During the visit, Somalia and Indonesia signed several agreements aimed at boosting economic and development ties. Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono welcomed the move, calling it “a sign of shared commitment to building stronger ties between Global South nations.” He emphasized the importance of their partnership in addressing global challenges and promoting a fair and inclusive world order.
Indonesia views Somalia as a key gateway to Sub-Saharan Africa and hopes to expand the presence of its products in the region by using Somali trade hubs. Both countries agreed to work more closely in agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, health, and meat processing. This practical cooperation is expected to benefit both economies and create new opportunities for businesses and communities in both countries.
One major example of their cooperation is Indonesia’s role in developing an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the East Africa University Hospital in Bosaso, Somalia. The project is being carried out with support from Indonesian Aid and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), reflecting the growing importance of health diplomacy in their relationship.
Education was also a key area of focus during the talks. Minister Sugiono invited Somali students to apply for Indonesian scholarship programs, such as the Developing Countries Partnership (KNB), Darmasiswa, and The Indonesia Aid Scholarship (TIAS). In addition, the two countries plan to expand training programs for Somali diplomats, aiming to build stronger ties and share knowledge in governance and international relations.
The ministers also pledged to promote peace and moderation in the Islamic world. They agreed to work together through international platforms like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to advance shared values and encourage global dialogue.
To support stronger people-to-people connections, Somalia and Indonesia signed a visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic and official passports. This is seen as a first step toward easier travel and deeper cultural and professional exchanges between the two nations.
Somalia and Indonesia officially established diplomatic relations in 1960, shortly after Somalia gained independence. Since then, they have maintained friendly relations and worked together in international forums like the Non-Aligned Movement and South-South cooperation frameworks.
This visit and the agreements signed reflect a growing partnership built on mutual respect, shared goals, and a vision for a stronger future. Both countries are looking to move beyond traditional diplomacy and build real, meaningful cooperation that benefits their people.
By focusing on practical areas like trade, health, education, and agriculture, Somalia and Indonesia are showing how two nations from different regions can work together to solve problems and create new opportunities. This renewed partnership marks a positive step forward and sets the stage for even deeper ties in the years to come.