Somalia and Rwanda

How do Somalia and Rwanda relate today?

The two countries have built formal ties since 2020. On 27 October 2025 the foreign ministers, Olivier Nduhungirehe and Abdisalam Abdi Ali, signed a General Cooperation Agreement in Kigali (Rwanda High Commission in Kenya, October 2025). They agreed to set up a Joint Permanent Commission covering justice, education, agriculture, ICT, trade and mutual legal assistance (same source).

The ministers spoke by telephone on 9 June 2026 and met at the AU Executive Council in July 2026 (Somali Foreign Ministry, 9 June 2026; Somali Foreign Ministry, 28 July 2026). Rwanda has an ambassador accredited to Somalia, and Somalia's envoy is based in Dar es Salaam (see below).

When did contact begin?

The best-known early link concerns Somaliland. Patrick Mazimhaka, a Rwandan who was deputy chairperson of the AU Commission from 2003 to 2008, led an AU fact-finding mission to Somaliland from 30 April to 4 May 2005 (AU Commission, 25 January 2018; AU mission report, 2005). The mission visited Hargeisa, Berbera, Sheikh, Burao and Borama (same report).

Its report called Somaliland's search for recognition "historically unique and self-justified in African political history" (Martin Plaut, 31 December 2025). It said "the AU should find a special method of dealing with this outstanding case" (same source). In 2006 UNPO reported that the report had not yet been discussed by the AU Executive Council (UNPO, 2006). See Somalia and the African Union.

Rwanda and Somalia signed a Bilateral Air Services Agreement in February 2020, Rwanda's 100th such agreement (KT Press, 8 February 2020).

Who are the ambassadors and envoys?

• Martin Karoli Ngoga: Rwanda's ambassador to Somalia; gave a copy of his credentials to Foreign Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi in January 2025 (Somali Foreign Ministry, 30 January 2025).
• Ilyas Ali Hassan: Somalia's ambassador to Tanzania and non-resident ambassador to Rwanda; presented credentials to President Paul Kagame in Kigali in May 2025 (Somali Foreign Ministry, 21 May 2025).

Who built the tie?

• Patrick Mazimhaka: Rwandan AU deputy chairperson who led the 2005 mission to Somaliland (AU mission report). He died on 25 January 2018 (AU Commission).
• Paul Kagame: Rwandan president who met Hassan Sheikh in Kigali on 12 August 2024 and pledged continued support (Hiiraan Online, 13 August 2024).
• Hassan Sheikh Mohamud: Somali president who attended Kagame's inauguration on 11 August 2024 (same source).
• Olivier Nduhungirehe: Rwandan foreign minister who signed the 2025 agreement and praised Somalia's work in the A3+ group on the UN Security Council (KT Press, 27 October 2025).
• Abdisalam Abdi Ali: Somali foreign minister who signed the 2025 agreement during a two-day visit to Kigali (same source).
• Ilyas Ali Hassan: Somali ambassador who met Somali traders and students in Kigali (SONNA).
• Aisa Kirabo Kacyira: Rwandan former mayor of Kigali, named head of the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) in February 2023 (Garowe Online, 26 February 2023).

What agreements have they signed?

• February 2020: Bilateral Air Services Agreement (KT Press, 8 February 2020).
• 27 October 2025: General Cooperation Agreement, with a Joint Permanent Commission to follow (Rwanda High Commission in Kenya).

Which leaders have visited?

• 11–12 August 2024: Hassan Sheikh in Kigali for Kagame's inauguration and talks (Hiiraan Online).
• 27–28 October 2025: Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali in Kigali (KT Press).

How much do they trade?

Rwanda reported exports to Somalia of $691,192 in 2024 and $866,349 in 2022 (UN Comtrade, Rwanda–Somalia, 2024; 2022). Imports from Somalia were $10,973 in 2024 (same source).

Main Rwandan exports to Somalia in 2024 (UN Comtrade, by chapter):

• coffee and tea, $334,701
• food preparations, $275,142
• cereal and flour products, $81,349

Somalia's ambassador thanked Rwanda for its visa-free policy, which eases travel for Somali traders and students (SONNA).

How much aid and money has gone in?

UN OCHA lists no Rwandan humanitarian grants to Somalia for 2006 to 2025 (OCHA FTS, 2011). The 2025 agreement focuses on training and exchanges in justice, education, agriculture and ICT (Rwanda High Commission in Kenya).

What about security?

Rwanda does not send troops to the AU mission in Somalia (Dawan Africa, 1 August 2026). In 2025 the two ministers noted existing cooperation in policing and defence (Rwanda High Commission in Kenya). See Foreign forces in Somalia.

How does Rwanda deal with Somaliland and the member states?

Rwanda's main link to the Somaliland question is the 2005 AU mission led by Mazimhaka (AU mission report). The mission said Somaliland's authorities had visited the AU Commission in 2003, 2004 and early 2005 seeking observer status (same report). No Rwandan government statement on Somaliland's status was found in the sources checked.

How many Somalis live in Rwanda?

Few. UNHCR counted 22 Somali refugees in Rwanda at the end of 2025 (UNHCR Refugee Data Finder API). Somalis are among the people flown to Rwanda from Libya under the Emergency Transit Mechanism, which had received more than 3,000 evacuees by September 2026 (KT Press, September 2026; Monitor).

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

Rwanda and Somalia are both EAC members, and Somalia's ambassador said cooperation follows EAC standards (SONNA). In October 2025 the ministers discussed the Doha and Washington peace processes on eastern DR Congo (KT Press). Nduhungirehe praised Somalia's role on the UN Security Council as part of the A3+ group (same source).

Related pages

• Somalia and the African Union
• Somalia and Tanzania
• Somalia and Libya
• Somaliland declaration 1991
• Somalis in Libya
• Hassan Sheikh Mohamud