By Zamzam Osman - Reporter
Somalia, 5 January 2026 China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, is scheduled to arrive in Mogadishu this Friday, marking the highest-level diplomatic visit from Beijing since the 1980s.
Federal government officials, who preferred anonymity, told Dawan Africa that the visit will likely focus on maritime security, infrastructure development under the Belt and Road Initiative, and formalizing China’s opposition to external interference in Somalia’s internal affairs.
The historic mission comes at a period of intense regional friction following Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland’s independence.
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Mogadishu has denounced the move as a violation of its sovereignty, and the arrival of China’s top diplomat is seen as a powerful reaffirmation of Beijing’s "One Somalia" policy.
For decades, China has maintained a tradition where its Foreign Minister begins the year with a tour of African nations. While the annual tour is customary, the decision to include Somalia in the 2026 itinerary underscores a strategic shift to bolster ties with the Federal Government amid shifting alliances in the Red Sea.
The visit provides President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud with significant diplomatic leverage as he seeks to unify the country and push back against separatist trends.
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