President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of the Federal Republic of Somalia is expected to make an official visit to Algeria at the beginning of this week, a trip that raises as many questions as it promises answers about Mogadishu’s evolving foreign policy direction.
The visit follows a recent wave of diplomatic activity between the two countries. Earlier this year, Somalia opened an embassy in Algiers, and in April, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune received the credentials of Somalia’s new ambassador, Yusuf Hassan Ahmed (Yusuf Jeego), signaling what officials described as a “new chapter” in bilateral relations. Yet analysts suggest that the outreach reflects not only a diplomatic revival but also Somalia’s growing search for reliable allies amid regional uncertainty.
A Renewed Partnership or Political Optics?
The trip comes after Foreign Ministers Ahmed Attaf of Algeria and Abdelsalam Abdi Ali of Somalia held talks in Algiers, part of a broader push to coordinate positions at the United Nations Security Council, where both countries now hold non-permanent seats. Algeria’s term began in January 2024 and will run through 2025, while Somalia’s membership started in January 2025 and will continue until the end of 2026.
Somali officials have portrayed the visit as part of efforts to strengthen economic and diplomatic cooperation, particularly in trade and investment. Yet the Presidency has remained conspicuously silent about the trip’s exact agenda. Sources familiar with the planning told Somali Stream that discussions are expected to focus on oil, livestock exports, and meat trade; areas where both countries seek leverage in African markets.
The President’s delegation includes senior ministers, among them Foreign Minister Abdisalam Omer Dhaay and Commerce Minister Mahmoud Geesood.
An Uneasy History
For decades, relations between Somalia and Algeria have been distant and often defined by mistrust. During the 1977 Somalia–Ethiopia war, Algeria openly sided with Addis Ababa, a move that left lasting bitterness in Mogadishu. Even after Somalia’s gradual recovery from state collapse, Algiers continued its close partnership with Ethiopia, particularly during the latter’s controversial maritime ambitions in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
That history casts a long shadow over the current diplomatic charm offensive. Algeria’s traditional alignment with Ethiopia and its broader rivalry with Egypt and Morocco places Somalia’s outreach in a delicate position, especially as Mogadishu deepens ties with Cairo and Rabat.
Regional Alignments and Strategic Contradictions
At the African Union and the Arab League, both Somalia and Algeria share membership but diverge sharply in strategic interests. Algeria’s foreign policy, often anchored in its anti-colonial legacy and strong opposition to Western-backed initiatives, contrasts with Somalia’s recent pivot toward Arab states like Egypt and the UAE.
Complicating matters further, Algeria is a key backer of Ethiopia, a country at the center of tensions with Somalia over maritime access. Meanwhile, Egypt and Morocco, both close partners of Somalia, remain Algeria’s long-standing regional rivals.
In February, Algerian diplomat and legal expert Selma Malika Haddadi was voted Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, a move widely viewed as part of Algiers’ bid to reassert influence across the continent. Her prior experience as Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU underscores Algeria’s strategic reach within African institutions.
Both countries’ concurrent roles on the UN Security Council add another layer to the relationship. Recent Council sessions exposed subtle but notable differences: Algeria continues to advocate for the independence of Western Sahara, while Somalia aligned with the position recognizing the territory as part of Morocco.
During deliberations on the conflict in Sudan, Somalia abstained, whereas Algeria took an active stance; a reflection, analysts say, of differing regional priorities.
Balancing Diplomacy and Domestic Reality
In Mogadishu, reactions to President Hassan’s foreign travels have been mixed. Supporters portray him as reasserting Somalia’s presence on the world stage. Critics, however, argue that his frequent international engagements serve as distractions from persistent domestic crises, ranging from political fragmentation to security concerns and an economy under strain.
The optics of the Algeria trip, they say, may be less about substantive policy gains and more about maintaining the appearance of international legitimacy amid mounting internal pressures.
Whether this visit marks a genuine realignment or another short-term diplomatic maneuver remains uncertain. The trip is being closely monitored in Cairo, Addis Ababa, and Rabat; capitals with deep stakes in Somalia’s strategic orientation.
For now, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s journey to Algiers underscores the difficult balancing act facing Somali diplomacy: navigating rival Arab powers, competing African interests, and the tension between domestic instability and the pursuit of external validation.