Somalia and Serbia have signed an agreement to deepen their security cooperation.
The pact, inked by Somalia’s Minister of Internal Security Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag and Serbia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs Ivica Dačić in Belgrade on Monday, focuses on police training and institutional development.
“This agreement underscores the depth of the partnership between Somalia and Serbia, which has endured for decades,” Minister Fartaag said. “It will further cement the friendship and shared commitment to progress.”
Serbia’s Ivica Dačić described the agreement as a “historic milestone,” reaffirming his country’s dedication to assisting Somalia in rebuilding its national security institutions. “We are proud to play a pivotal role in training Somalia’s security forces and contributing to the development of its governance structures,” he said.
Serbia has played a pivotal role in enhancing Somalia’s security capabilities. Over the past year, Somali security officers, including members of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), have undergone intensive training in Serbia. These programs, held at facilities like the Marshal Josip Broz Tito Special Forces Training School, focus on law enforcement, intelligence gathering, and counter-terrorism strategies.
Beyond security, the partnership extends to education and aviation. Serbia’s “World in Serbia” scholarship program provides full scholarships for Somali students, covering tuition, accommodation, and stipends. These opportunities aim to rebuild Somalia’s human capital by training professionals in critical fields.
Serbia is addressing a long-standing skills gap in aviation by training Somali pilots at Linx Aviation School in Belgrade. Students will receive internationally recognized certifications aligned with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards, preparing them for roles in Somalia’s rebuilding aviation sector.
These agreements follow high-level discussions between Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre and Serbian Presidential Envoy Vladimir Orlié earlier this year.
