Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud travels to Serbia for Non-Aligned Movement anniversary
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has travelled to Serbia to attend a high-level gathering marking the 65th anniversary of the first conference of the Non-Aligned Movement, according to information from the Serbian government.
President Hassan Sheikh is among several foreign leaders invited to the event, which is scheduled to take place in Belgrade on September 1, 2026. The gathering is expected to bring together presidents and prime ministers from countries that maintain close relations with Serbia.
The Serbian government said four presidents and three prime ministers have been invited to participate in the commemorative meeting.
Ahead of the main event, participating leaders are expected to hold separate bilateral meetings with senior Serbian officials to discuss political, economic and security cooperation.
Somalia-Serbia relations
Somalia and Serbia have strengthened bilateral relations in recent years, with the two countries maintaining diplomatic representation and expanding cooperation in several areas.
Serbia, located in southeastern Europe, and Somalia, in the Horn of Africa, have sought to deepen political and security ties, including through exchanges of senior government officials.
Security and defence cooperation have become an important component of the relationship. Serbia has provided training to Somali specialised forces responsible for protecting senior government officials and national institutions.
The cooperation has also been linked to Somalia’s efforts to strengthen its own security capabilities and gradually reduce dependence on foreign forces for the protection of senior state officials.
Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, as well as the country’s defence and security ministers, have made visits to Serbia in recent years. During some of these visits, Somali officials held discussions with their Serbian counterparts and visited facilities involved in defence equipment and military vehicles.
Somalia and Serbia have also established a defence cooperation framework covering military training and the development of Somali security capabilities, particularly units assigned to protect national leaders.
President Hassan Sheikh’s visit to Belgrade is therefore expected to provide another opportunity to strengthen the growing bilateral relationship and discuss areas of mutual interest.
The visit also comes as Somalia continues to diversify its international partnerships in defence, security, trade and development, while seeking closer engagement with countries beyond its traditional regional and international partners.
Mustaqbal
