When Karin Johansson assumed her role as the Ambassador of the European Union to Somalia in September 2023, she inherited a country that had just experienced a peaceful political transition the previous May; a transition that raised hopes both locally and internationally for Somalia’s democratic future.
The Somali people and diplomatic community alike expected the EU, which had reestablished a full delegation in Somalia in 2014, to send an envoy who would build upon the legacy of strengthening ties and democratic progress, not undermine them.
Johansson succeeded a lineage of distinguished European diplomats who left an indelible mark on Somalia’s fragile political landscape.
Ambassador Michele Cervone d’Urso, serving as EU Special Envoy from 2012 to 2016, is fondly remembered for his strategic diplomacy that shepherded Somalia through critical post-transition years.
His successor, Veronique Lorenzo (2016 to 2019), maintained this trajectory of constructive engagement and partnership. Even before Johansson, Spanish Ambassador Nicolás Berlanga-Martinez was celebrated for his inclusive approach, visible presence in Mogadishu, and sincere efforts to engage all Somali stakeholders.
The EU’s reengagement from 2014 onward marked a new era of diplomatic commitment: ending the practice of managing Somalia relations from Nairobi’s suburbs and establishing a permanent presence amidst difficult security conditions. This bold move signaled a clear message of trust and investment in Somalia’s future.
Yet, in a striking reversal, the European Union’s image in Somalia has suffered under Johansson’s watch. The mission that once stood as a beacon of impartiality, good governance, and respect for human rights appears now to be deeply entwined with the political machinations of Villa Somalia.
Johansson has not merely stood by as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud consolidates power; she has, increasingly, become an enabler of his political agenda; isolation opposition, sidelining democratic principles, and endorsing processes that erode Somalia’s institutional fabric.
Her decision to present credentials in Galmudug, away from the capital Mogadishu, symbolized a troubling departure from diplomatic norms. More importantly, Johansson’s tenure has seen the EU mission transform from an honest broker of peace and stability into a political arm of the presidency—an unfortunate contrast to the balanced stewardship of predecessors like Estonian Ambassador Tiina Intelmann, who carefully managed Somalia’s political temperature during her tenure.
This transformation takes place amid a paradox: while EU member states intensify efforts to deport Somali asylum seekers on the claim Somalia is “safe,” their chief representative in Mogadishu actively supports policies undermining that safety.
The tragic consequences are visible: in May 2025, Somali youths, desperate for a future beyond political disenchantment and economic hardship, drowned attempting to cross the Mediterranean. These lost lives underscore the growing alienation and hopelessness many Somalis feel under a political order increasingly shaped behind closed doors with international endorsement.
The EU’s earlier programs, notably those that rebuilt Mogadishu Stadium and supported youth empowerment, remain appreciated by Somalis. However, the hand that once built now appears complicit in destroying the fragile democratic progress.
Notably, the EU, through the Max Planck Foundation, has been the primary funder of Somalia’s deeply contested constitutional review process. This unilateral initiative bypassed national consensus and parliamentary debate, fast-tracking amendments that centralized presidential power and discarded commitments to federalism and inclusive governance.
Johansson and the EU lent legitimacy and funding to what amounts to a bureaucratic coup, cloaked in donorfunded procedural formalities. Meanwhile, the EU has been conspicuously silent as journalists face harassment and arbitrary detention by Banadir Police, which is a security force trained and financed by EU programs. These same forces have been implicated in coercive voter registration, casting serious doubts on the fairness of upcoming elections.
In this context, the EU Delegation’s pivot from impartial diplomatic engagement to producing promotional content flattering the Somali presidency is alarming. Media packages and glossy infographics funded by European taxpayers blur the lines between diplomatic mission and government propaganda; a deeply inappropriate and ethically questionable stance.
Perhaps most tellingly, Johansson was the first foreign diplomat to meet and endorse the newly ‘appointed’ electoral commission, a body formed unilaterally by President Hassan Sheikh and his allies, circumventing established institutional checks. This premature endorsement undercuts calls for a transparent, inclusive electoral process and signals unequivocal European backing for a process lacking national legitimacy.
Opposition leaders report Johansson’s dismissive attitude toward dissent, exemplified by her offhand remark to “let the government do its work.” Such disregard for constructive political opposition undermines the democratic debate essential to Somalia’s recovery.
Reports now suggest Johansson is seeking an extension of her mandate, reportedly with the president’s support. For an envoy meant to embody the collective interests and values of 27 EU member states, this raises serious concerns about her impartiality.
Her continued entanglement with Villa Somalia’s political fortunes threatens to inflict further damage on Somalia’s democratic prospects.
Somalia’s history is no stranger to foreign influence shaping critical moments. What makes this chapter especially troubling is the stark contrast between European rhetoric, that of championing democracy and human rights; and the actions on the ground.
Europe’s highest-ranking envoy in Somalia appears complicit in deepening democratic erosion, disillusionment, and the very crises that drive Somali youth to risk their lives at sea.
This is not a matter of personalities but of principles. Somalia deserves an opportunity to rebuild through open debate, real political competition, elections reflecting the people’s will and not the preferences of donors or entrenched EU-backed elites.
The European Union must urgently reflect on whether it remains true to the values it advocates globally. It must reassess its posture in Somalia and reconsider Ambassador Johansson’s role. Somalia deserves a thoughtful envoy, who is impartial, respectful of local agency, and firmly committed to democratic principles.
In the absence of such leadership, the EU’s commendable investments in security, education, and humanitarian aid risk being rendered futile. Without accountable institutions and a credible political process, these programs may have no sustainable future.
The recent history of Somalia’s use of the persona non grata principle; that of expelling senior representatives from the UN and African Union missions over alleged misconduct and interference; reflects the deep tensions surrounding foreign engagement in Somalia. As the EU mission drifts from impartiality to partiality, it risks becoming the next casualty of these fraught dynamics.