# Somalia and Italy

> Italy–Somalia relations: colony and trusteeship, 1960s aid, the 1990s Ibis mission, the 2014 embassy, EU training command, trade and aid.

Source page: https://calankii.com/en/relations/italy/
Last checked: 2026-11-13
Publisher: Calankii (https://calankii.com)

## How do Somalia and Italy relate today?

Italy has an embassy in Mogadishu, inside the international campus at [Aden Adde International Airport](/en/infrastructure/aden-adde-international-airport/) ([Embassy of Italy in Mogadishu, Chi siamo](https://ambmogadiscio.esteri.it/it/chi-siamo/)). It reopened in 2014, and Italy describes it as the only embassy of an EU member state operating in the Somali capital ([Embassy of Italy, Italia e Somalia](https://ambmogadiscio.esteri.it/it/italia-e-somalia/)).

Italy's work in Somalia today runs on three tracks ([Embassy of Italy](https://ambmogadiscio.esteri.it/it/italia-e-somalia/)):

- **Security:** Italy commands, and sends the most troops to, the EU Training Mission (EUTM) for the Somali army; the Carabinieri train Somali police under a programme called MIADIT.
- **Development:** multi-year projects funded through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), on infrastructure, institutions, farming, fishing, livestock and the private sector ([Embassy of Italy, Cooperazione](https://ambmogadiscio.esteri.it/it/italia-e-somalia/cooperazione-allo-sviluppo/)).
- **People:** many Somali leaders studied in Italy or at the Somali National University, which grew from an Italian project, and Italian is still spoken among the political class ([Embassy of Italy](https://ambmogadiscio.esteri.it/it/italia-e-somalia/)).

Italy exported goods worth US$30.6 million to Somalia in 2024 and imported US$0.1 million, by Italy's own customs figures ([UN Comtrade, Italy–Somalia 2024](https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/A/HS?reporterCode=380&partnerCode=706&period=2024&flowCode=X,M&cmdCode=TOTAL)).

## When did contact begin?

Italy's first footholds came through the sultans of the north-east. In 1888 Sultan Yusuf Ali Keenadiid of Hobyo accepted Italian "protection", and in 1889 he and Sultan Ismaan Mahamuud of the Majeerteen both placed their lands under Italy ([Library of Congress, *Somalia: A Country Study*](https://countrystudies.us/somalia/9.htm)). In 1888 the Italian agent Vincenzo Filonardi pressed the Majeerteen sultan for the same arrangement Hobyo had made ([Library of Congress](https://countrystudies.us/somalia/9.htm)). Italy then took the Banaadir coast, which had been under the Sultan of Zanzibar, and formed the colony of Italian Somaliland ([Library of Congress](https://countrystudies.us/somalia/9.htm)).

Kismayo and the land beyond the [Jubba](/en/regions/jubba-river/) passed from Britain to Italy in 1925 ([Library of Congress](https://countrystudies.us/somalia/9.htm)). The texts of the treaties are on [The colonial treaties, 1884–1897](/en/history/colonial-treaties-1884-1897/), and Fascist rule is covered in [Fascist rule and the war, 1923–1941](/en/history/fascist-rule-and-the-war-1923-1941/).

After British military rule from 1941, the UN placed southern Somalia under Italian administration (AFIS) in 1950. It was the only UN trusteeship given to a country defeated in the Second World War, and Italy ended it six months early ([Embassy of Italy](https://ambmogadiscio.esteri.it/it/italia-e-somalia/)). See [The UN trusteeship, 1950–1960](/en/history/un-trusteeship-1950-1960/).

## What happened between 1960 and 1991?

Relations stayed close after independence on 1 July 1960 ([Library of Congress, Foreign Relations 1960–69](http://countrystudies.us/somalia/17.htm)). Key facts from the 1960s ([Library of Congress](http://countrystudies.us/somalia/17.htm)):

- About 3,000 Italians still lived in Somalia in 1965 and dominated many businesses.
- Italian economic aid was more than a quarter of all non-military foreign aid Somalia received.
- Italy was a main market, especially for crops from Italian-owned farms in the river valleys.
- Italian sponsorship made Somalia an associate of the European Economic Community, with more aid and preferential access for Somali exports.
- Italy shared police training with West Germany and the United States.

Many Somali military officers trained at Italian military academies ([Embassy of Italy](https://ambmogadiscio.esteri.it/it/italia-e-somalia/)). In 1969 a coup after the killing of President [Abdirashid Ali Shermarke](/en/people/abdirashid-ali-shermarke/) brought [Siad Barre](/en/people/siad-barre/) to power ([Embassy of Italy](https://ambmogadiscio.esteri.it/it/italia-e-somalia/)). The Somali embassy on Via dei Villini in Rome closed in 1991 ([UNHCR](https://www.unhcr.org/node/12045)).

## What did Italy do during the 1990s crisis?

Italy sent troops to the UN-backed operations. The Ibis I mission ran from 23 December 1992 to 7 April 1993, and Ibis II from May 1993 to March 1994 ([Italian Wikipedia, Operazione Ibis](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operazione_Ibis)). Italy was one of 34 countries that sent military or police personnel to UNOSOM II ([UN Peacekeeping, UNOSOM II facts](https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/past/unosom2facts.html)).

By early September 1993 more than 2,600 Italian soldiers were in Somalia, under General Bruno Loi and then General Carmine Fiore ([Italian Wikipedia, Missione Ibis II](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missione_Ibis_II)). On 2 July 1993, at the "Checkpoint Pasta" in Mogadishu, three Italian soldiers were killed in a clash with Somali militia ([Italian Wikipedia](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missione_Ibis_II)). Italy withdrew the Ibis II contingent on 21 March 1994 ([Italian Wikipedia](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missione_Ibis_II)).

In 1995 Italy sent 2,106 personnel, five ships and 21 aircraft to help cover the final UN withdrawal, Operation United Shield ([Italian Wikipedia](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missione_Ibis_II)). See [UN intervention, 1992–1995](/en/history/un-intervention-1992-1995/).

## Who are the ambassadors and envoys?

- **Italy's ambassador in Mogadishu** took up the post on 4 December 2023; he was earlier Italy's head of mission in Lusaka (from 2012) and First Counsellor at the embassy to the Holy See (from 2019) ([Embassy of Italy, ambassador's biography](https://ambmogadiscio.esteri.it/it/chi-siamo/lambasciatore/biografia-dellambasciatore/)).
- **Carlo Campanile** is named as an earlier Italian ambassador in Mogadishu ([Wikipedia, Italy–Somalia relations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy%E2%80%93Somalia_relations)).
- **Abdirahman [Sheikh](/en/regions/sheikh/) Issa** is named as Somalia's ambassador in Rome ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy%E2%80%93Somalia_relations)).

## Who built the tie?

- **Vincenzo Filonardi:** Italian agent who in 1888 pressed the Majeerteen sultan to accept Italian protection ([Library of Congress](https://countrystudies.us/somalia/9.htm)).
- **Sultan Yusuf Ali Keenadiid** of Hobyo and **Sultan Ismaan Mahamuud** of the Majeerteen: signed Italian protection in 1889 ([Library of Congress](https://countrystudies.us/somalia/9.htm)).
- **Generals Bruno Loi and Carmine Fiore:** commanded the Italian contingent in Somalia in 1993 ([Italian Wikipedia](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missione_Ibis_II)).
- **Giorgia Meloni:** Prime Minister who hosted the Italy–Africa Summit in Rome on 28–29 January 2024 ([Government of Italy](https://www.governo.it/en/articolo/italia-africa-bridge-common-growth/24853)).
- **[Hassan Sheikh Mohamud](/en/people/hassan-sheikh-mohamud/):** Somali President, who attended that summit ([Government of Italy, participants list](https://www.governo.it/sites/governo.it/files/Tabella_partecipanti.pdf)).

## What agreements have they signed?

- **1888–1889:** protection agreements with Hobyo and the Majeerteen ([Library of Congress](https://countrystudies.us/somalia/9.htm)).
- **1950:** UN trusteeship agreement; Italy as administering authority ([Embassy of Italy](https://ambmogadiscio.esteri.it/it/italia-e-somalia/)).
- **2013:** a defence and security treaty signed in Rome; **2015:** a technical arrangement between the Carabinieri and the [Somali Police Force](/en/institutions/somali-police-force/) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy%E2%80%93Somalia_relations)).

## Which leaders have visited?

- **28–29 January 2024:** President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the Italy–Africa Summit in Rome ([Government of Italy](https://www.governo.it/sites/governo.it/files/Tabella_partecipanti.pdf)).

## How much do they trade?

Italy's exports to Somalia, in US dollars, from Italian customs data reported to the UN ([UN Comtrade](https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/A/HS?reporterCode=380&partnerCode=706&period=2024&flowCode=X,M&cmdCode=TOTAL)):

- 2015: 24.8 million ([UN Comtrade 2015](https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/A/HS?reporterCode=380&partnerCode=706&period=2015&flowCode=X,M&cmdCode=TOTAL))
- 2019: 37.1 million ([UN Comtrade 2019](https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/A/HS?reporterCode=380&partnerCode=706&period=2019&flowCode=X,M&cmdCode=TOTAL))
- 2022: 29.0 million ([UN Comtrade 2022](https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/A/HS?reporterCode=380&partnerCode=706&period=2022&flowCode=X,M&cmdCode=TOTAL))
- 2023: 37.4 million ([UN Comtrade 2023](https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/A/HS?reporterCode=380&partnerCode=706&period=2023&flowCode=X,M&cmdCode=TOTAL))
- 2024: 30.6 million

Imports from Somalia were small: US$0.73 million in 2023 and US$0.10 million in 2024, mostly oil seeds such as sesame ([UN Comtrade, by product, 2024](https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/A/HS?reporterCode=380&partnerCode=706&period=2024&flowCode=M&cmdCode=AG2)). The top exports in 2024 were electrical equipment, wood, vehicles and machinery ([UN Comtrade, by product](https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/A/HS?reporterCode=380&partnerCode=706&period=2024&flowCode=X&cmdCode=AG2)).

## How much aid and money has gone in?

Italian cooperation funding rose from €9 million in 2014 to €18.5 million in 2017, across 24 multi-year projects ([Wikipedia, citing the Italian embassy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy%E2%80%93Somalia_relations)). Because of insecurity, Italy has worked mostly through UN agencies, development banks and Italian NGOs and universities ([Embassy of Italy, Cooperazione](https://ambmogadiscio.esteri.it/it/italia-e-somalia/cooperazione-allo-sviluppo/)). It says Somalia's entry into the HIPC debt relief process opens room for more direct cooperation ([Embassy of Italy](https://ambmogadiscio.esteri.it/it/italia-e-somalia/cooperazione-allo-sviluppo/)).

In October 2026 AICS published a call for proposals for an emergency response to the humanitarian and environmental crisis in Somalia ([Embassy of Italy, 28 October 2026](https://ambmogadiscio.esteri.it/it/news/dall_ambasciata/2026/10/aics-pubblicazione-della-call-for-proposals-iniziativa-di-emergenza-in-risposta-alla-crisi-umanitaria-e-ambientale-in-somalia-aid-013591-01-0/)). Italy was Somalia's second-largest bilateral creditor in the Paris Club, after the United States ([France Diplomatie](https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/information-par-pays/somalie/relations-bilaterales)).

Italy also backed Somalia's 2012 and 2016 elections and its constitutional review ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy%E2%80%93Somalia_relations)).

## What about security?

Italy commands the EU Training Mission in Somalia and is its largest troop contributor ([Embassy of Italy](https://ambmogadiscio.esteri.it/it/italia-e-somalia/)). The Carabinieri's MIADIT programme, started in 2013, had trained about 1,400 Somali police by the count on Wikipedia's page ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italy%E2%80%93Somalia_relations)). For the full picture see [Foreign forces in Somalia](/en/institutions/foreign-forces-in-somalia/).

## How does Italy deal with Somaliland and the member states?

Italy's embassy notes [Somaliland](/en/states/somaliland-1991-to-2026/)'s 1991 declaration of independence and says constitutional reform is still under way, with tensions involving [Jubaland](/en/states/jubaland/) and [Puntland](/en/states/puntland/) ([Embassy of Italy](https://ambmogadiscio.esteri.it/it/italia-e-somalia/)). Its development priorities include stabilisation support for newly recovered areas, in direct support of the federal government ([Embassy of Italy, Cooperazione](https://ambmogadiscio.esteri.it/it/italia-e-somalia/cooperazione-allo-sviluppo/)).

## Have there been disputes?

The deadliest clash for Italy was the 2 July 1993 fight at Checkpoint Pasta in Mogadishu, where three Italian soldiers died ([Italian Wikipedia](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missione_Ibis_II)). Two Italian paratroopers, Rossano Visioli and Giorgio Righetti, were killed in an ambush near the port on 15 September 1993 ([Italian Wikipedia](https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missione_Ibis_II)).

## How many Somalis live in Italy?

On 1 January 2025, 9,262 Somali citizens were resident in Italy ([Tuttitalia, from ISTAT data](https://www.tuttitalia.it/statistiche/cittadini-stranieri/somalia/)). Lazio had the most, 2,132, followed by Sicily with 1,471 ([Tuttitalia](https://www.tuttitalia.it/statistiche/cittadini-stranieri/somalia/)). See [Italy (Somali diaspora)](/en/diaspora/italy/).

## Where does Italy stand in the UN and other bodies on Somalia?

Italy was the UN-appointed administering authority for the trust territory from 1950 to 1960 ([Embassy of Italy](https://ambmogadiscio.esteri.it/it/italia-e-somalia/)). It sent personnel to UNOSOM II in 1993–1994 ([UN Peacekeeping](https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/past/unosom2facts.html)). Today it works mainly through the EU, leading EUTM Somalia ([Embassy of Italy](https://ambmogadiscio.esteri.it/it/italia-e-somalia/)).

## Related pages

- [The colonial treaties, 1884–1897](/en/history/colonial-treaties-1884-1897/)
- [The Majeerteen and Hobyo sultanates](/en/history/majeerteen-and-hobyo-sultanates/)
- [Fascist rule and the war, 1923–1941](/en/history/fascist-rule-and-the-war-1923-1941/)
- [The UN trusteeship, 1950–1960](/en/history/un-trusteeship-1950-1960/)
- [UN intervention, 1992–1995](/en/history/un-intervention-1992-1995/)
- [Foreign forces in Somalia](/en/institutions/foreign-forces-in-somalia/)
- [Italy (Somali diaspora)](/en/diaspora/italy/)

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