Belgrade, – Somalia has formally backed Serbia’s position on Kosovo, refusing to recognize the territory’s 2008 declaration of independence. The announcement, made during Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s official visit to Belgrade, underscores Mogadishu’s commitment to the principle of territorial integrity — a stance that diverges from most Muslim-majority nations and the United States.
In talks with his Serbian counterpart, Đuro Matsut, Prime Minister Barre reaffirmed Somalia’s support for Serbia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The two governments signed a new memorandum of understanding on healthcare cooperation, while also pledging to deepen collaboration in education, security, and economic development.
Serbia’s Foreign Minister Marko Đurić, who held separate discussions with Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Omer, hailed Somalia’s rejection of Kosovo’s independence as a major diplomatic win for Belgrade. “We greatly appreciate Somalia’s support for Serbia’s unity and sovereignty,” Đurić said, adding that Serbia, in turn, “fully respects Somalia’s territorial integrity.”
The high-level engagements included Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Matsut, Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić, and Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Omer.
The meetings were held in Belgrade on September 3, during Prime Minister Barre’s official visit to Serbia.
Somalia’s decision sets it apart from over 50 Muslim-majority countries — including Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates — that have recognized Kosovo’s independence. It also contrasts with the United States and most Western powers, which have supported Kosovo since its declaration of independence in 2008.
For Somalia, the issue carries unique domestic resonance. Mogadishu has consistently rejected the unilateral declaration of independence by Somaliland in 1991, insisting that the breakaway region remains an inseparable part of Somali territory. By backing Serbia on Kosovo, Somalia reinforces its own stance against Somaliland’s claims while aligning itself with global actors such as Russia and China, who also oppose Kosovo’s independence.
The new bilateral agreements pave the way for cooperation in healthcare research, training, and knowledge-sharing. Both governments also pledged to expand ties in agriculture, construction, education, and counterterrorism. Serbia emphasized its commitment to supporting Somalia’s security needs, particularly in its fight against extremist groups and in stabilizing the wider Horn of Africa.
Kosovo’s independence remains one of Europe’s most contested geopolitical disputes. The conflict traces back to the Kosovo War (1998–1999), when ethnic Albanian rebels of the Kosovo Liberation Army fought against Serbian and Yugoslav forces. The violent crackdown led to mass atrocities and the displacement of nearly one million people. NATO intervened with a 78-day air campaign in 1999, forcing Serbian forces to withdraw.
Kosovo declared independence in 2008, a move recognized by the United States, most EU states, and a majority of Muslim nations. However, Serbia, backed by Russia and China, continues to reject the declaration. For Serbia, Kosovo remains a historic and cultural heartland. For Kosovo’s ethnic Albanian majority, independence represents the culmination of decades of struggle.
The shadow of the Balkan wars also includes the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, in which more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys were killed by Bosnian Serb forces. The atrocity, later ruled genocide by international courts, remains one of Europe’s darkest chapters since World War II and colors contemporary debates over ethnic self-determination and sovereignty.
Somalia’s alignment with Serbia on the Kosovo question reflects both principle and pragmatism. By prioritizing territorial integrity over ethnic self-determination, Mogadishu strengthens its own position against Somaliland’s independence movement while securing closer ties with Serbia. Yet, this stance distances Somalia from many of its Muslim allies and Western partners, raising questions about whether the strategic benefits of the Serbia-Somalia partnership outweigh the diplomatic costs. As both nations deepen cooperation, the decision marks a notable shift in Somalia’s foreign policy posture on one of Europe’s most enduring conflicts.