Algeria has moved to restore its diplomatic presence in Somalia after four decades, with Ambassador Mohamed Alim arriving in Mogadishu ahead of the reopening of the country’s embassy.
Alim was received on Tuesday by Hamze Adan Hadow, Permanent Secretary at Somalia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, alongside Somalia’s Ambassador to Algeria Yusuf Hassan Ahmed, Arab countries’ ambassadors accredited to Somalia and a representative of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Speaking at the airport in Mogadishu, Hadow welcomed Algeria’s decision to reopen its mission, which has been closed since 1985.
Somalia’s embassy reopened
He said the two countries were committed to strengthening bilateral relations and expanding cooperation on regional and international issues and that they agreed to ‘‘protect the interests the two countries hold in common, and to work together on matters of shared concern,’’ state media SONNA reported.
The planned reopening is the latest step in the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Somalia reopened its embassy in Algiers in January 2025, before formally inaugurating new premises in August.
Alim thanked Somali officials, Arab diplomats and the OIC representative for the reception, saying he looked forward to working closely with them and to advancing cooperation between Algeria and Somalia, as well as within Islamic world.
Relations between Algeria and Somalia have strengthened over the past two years through a series of high-level exchanges.
Bilateral deals
In April 2025, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune formally received the credentials of Somalia’s Ambassador Yusuf Hassan Ahmed in Algiers.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Algeria in November 2025 and held talks with President Tebboune, resulting in the signing of several cooperation agreements, including a reciprocal diplomatic visa exemption agreement.
Algeria’s decision to reopen its embassy also reflects the gradual return of foreign diplomatic missions to Mogadishu after many closed during Somalia’s state collapse in the early 1990s.
The reopening comes as Somalia continues efforts to rebuild international diplomatic engagement and expand political and economic partnerships across Africa and the world.
Ambassador Alim is expected to present his credentials to Somali authorities before formally assuming his duties.
