MOGADISHU, Somalia (HornPost) — Finland and Somalia discuss security cooperation, migration management and return arrangements during Interior Minister Mari Rantanen’s Jan. 21 visit to Mogadishu.
Finland has pledged to strengthen security and migration cooperation with Somalia during a high-level visit by Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen to Mogadishu on Jan. 21, 2025.
Rantanen met with Somalia’s Minister of Internal Security, Gen. Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartag, as part of an official visit focused on bilateral cooperation in security, migration management and the development of Somalia’s security institutions.
The talks also addressed Finland’s technical support to Somalia and efforts to improve coordination between the two countries on security and migration-related issues.
Somalia Seeks Greater Security Cooperation
During the meeting, Fartag thanked the Finnish government for its continued support to Somalia and emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in security and institutional development.
Somali officials highlighted the need for increased international cooperation to support peace and stability and to strengthen efforts against terrorism.
The discussions reflected Somalia’s broader efforts to improve the capacity of its security institutions as the country continues to confront significant security challenges.
Finland Focuses on Migration and Returns
For Finland, migration management and the return of Somali nationals who do not have legal grounds to remain in the country were among the key issues surrounding Rantanen’s visit.
Rantanen emphasized the importance of establishing effective mechanisms for the return of Somali nationals whose residence applications have been rejected, while also highlighting Somalia’s role in regional counterterrorism efforts.
The Finnish minister also recognized the contribution of Somali security forces to regional stability and emphasized the importance of the longstanding cooperation between Finland and Somalia.
Security and Migration at Center of Bilateral Talks
The visit brought together two policy areas that have increasingly become part of Finland-Somalia relations: security cooperation and migration management.
For Somalia, cooperation with European partners provides opportunities for technical assistance and institutional capacity-building. For Finland, cooperation with Somalia is important in addressing migration and ensuring that return arrangements can be implemented for Somali nationals who are not granted legal residency.
The discussions in Mogadishu therefore carried implications beyond traditional security cooperation, linking migration policy with bilateral relations and development assistance.
Finland Reviews Aid Cooperation With Somalia
Finland has also temporarily suspended bilateral development assistance to Somalia, citing a lack of progress on arrangements concerning the return of Somali nationals.
The Finnish government has linked future decisions on some funding to cooperation on returns, a policy that has attracted criticism from those who argue that development assistance should not be used as leverage in migration policy.
The issue adds a sensitive dimension to Finland-Somalia relations, as the two governments seek to balance migration cooperation with longer-term development and security partnerships.
Wider Regional Security Context
Somalia remains an important security partner for European countries because of its strategic position in the Horn of Africa and its role in regional efforts against terrorism.
Strengthening Somali security institutions has been a central component of international engagement with the country, while migration has become an increasingly important issue in relations between Somalia and European governments.
Rantanen’s visit to Mogadishu highlighted how these priorities are becoming increasingly interconnected in Finland’s engagement with Somalia.
The Finnish minister also held discussions with Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre during the visit, with security cooperation and migration-related return arrangements forming part of the broader agenda.
Key Facts
- Date: Jan. 21, 2025
- Location: Mogadishu, Somalia
- Finnish official: Interior Minister Mari Rantanen
- Somali official: Minister of Internal Security Gen. Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartag
- Main issues: Security cooperation, migration management, returns and technical assistance
- Additional meeting: Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre
- Regional focus: Counterterrorism and security-sector capacity
Prepared by:
Horn post staff
MOGADISHU, Somalia
