Belgrade, Serbia — Somalia’s Minister of Defense, Ahmed Moalim Fiqi, on Wednesday paid an official visit to the Military Technical Institute in Belgrade, Serbia, as part of his government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the capabilities of the Somali National Army (SNA) and expand international defense partnerships.
The Somali delegation was received by senior officials from Serbia’s Ministry of Defense, who briefed the Minister on the Institute’s advanced research and development work in the field of defense technology. The presentation highlighted Serbia’s progress in unmanned aerial systems, modern weapons, and armored combat vehicles, areas where Somalia has expressed strong interest given its security challenges.
The visit comes at a critical time for Somalia, as the country prepares to take on full security responsibilities following the gradual drawdown of African Union peacekeeping forces (ATMIS). Enhancing Somalia’s defense capacity — both in training and in access to modern technology — has become a priority for the government of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
Minister Fiqi emphasized that the visit reflects Somalia’s determination to explore strategic defense cooperation with international partners. Serbia, which has decades of experience in defense manufacturing and military research, is seen as a potential partner in areas such as technical training, equipment support, and knowledge transfer.
“This visit is about learning and exploring possibilities for cooperation that will help strengthen the Somali National Army in line with international standards,” a Somali defense official accompanying the Minister told reporters in Belgrade.
Somalia has in recent years sought to diversify its defense partnerships, engaging with countries including Turkey, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and now Serbia. The outreach is part of a broader government strategy to professionalize the armed forces, modernize military infrastructure, and ensure long-term stability once foreign forces fully withdraw.
Discussions between Somali and Serbian officials are expected to continue in the coming months, with possible frameworks for bilateral cooperation in defense technology and training. While no agreements have yet been finalized, today’s visit signals Somalia’s intent to expand its network of defense partners beyond its traditional allies.
