# Somalia and South Africa

> South Africa and Somalia: 2012 diplomatic relations, the Pretoria embassy, ministers and envoys, trade, aid, Somaliland contacts and attacks on Somali traders.

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

## How do Somalia and South Africa relate today?

South Africa established formal diplomatic relations with Somalia in 2012 ([South African High Commission, Nairobi](https://dirco.gov.za/kenya/bilateral-relations/)). South Africa covers Somalia from its High Commission in Nairobi, while Somalia has an embassy in Pretoria (same source).

On 3 July 2025 Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali opened a new embassy building in Pretoria, owned by Somalia ([SONNA, 3 July 2025](https://sonna.so/en/minister-of-foreign-affairs-inaugurates-somali-embassy-in-pretoria/)). The next day he and South Africa's minister, Ronald Lamola, discussed visa waivers for diplomats and the reopening of South Africa's mission in Mogadishu ([Somali Foreign Ministry, 4 July 2025](https://web.mfa.gov.so/?p=7227)).

The two ministers met again in Pretoria on 3 February 2026 and at the AU Executive Council in July 2026 ([Somali Foreign Ministry, 3 February 2026](https://web.mfa.gov.so/somalia-south-africa-bilateral-talks-in-pretoria/); [Somali Foreign Ministry, 29 July 2026](https://web.mfa.gov.so/somalia-strengthens-strategic-partnership-with-south-africa-at-african-union-executive-council/)). Lamola restated South Africa's support for Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity (same sources).

## When did contact begin?

Somalia's foreign ministry says Somalia supported South Africans in their struggle against apartheid ([Garowe Online, 14 July 2021](https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-raises-concerns-over-deaths-of-its-nationals-in-south-africa)). In February 1993 Oliver Tambo spoke of Somalia's "regression" into clan war at a solidarity conference in Johannesburg ([DIRCO, Deputy Minister Marius Fransman, 19 September 2012](https://dirco1.azurewebsites.net/docs/speeches/2012/frans0919.html)).

Somali refugees began arriving after apartheid ended. UNHCR counted 96 Somali refugees in South Africa in 1994 and 4,810 in 2000 ([UNHCR Refugee Data Finder API](https://api.unhcr.org/population/v1/population/?limit=100&yearFrom=1990&yearTo=2025&coo=SOM&coa=RSA)).

In March 2012 South Africa still had no representation in Somalia and dealt with it through Nairobi ([DIRCO, parliamentary reply, March 2012](https://dirco1.azurewebsites.net/docs/2012pq/pq12a.html)). It had sent the [Transitional Federal Government](/en/history/transitional-governments-2000-2012/) a draft agreement on diplomatic relations and planned to sign it during a visit by Somalia's foreign minister (same source). The agreement was signed in Pretoria by Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and Abdullahi Haji Hassan ([South African High Commission, Nairobi](https://dirco.gov.za/kenya/bilateral-relations/)).

## Who are the ambassadors and envoys?

### South Africa's envoys to Somalia

- **South African High Commission in Nairobi**: accredited to Somalia ([DIRCO](https://dirco.gov.za/kenya/bilateral-relations/)).
- **M. J. Mahlangu**: High Commissioner to Kenya; presented credentials as non-resident ambassador to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at [Villa Somalia](/en/institutions/president-and-council-of-ministers/) in October 2022 (same source). DIRCO says security had made it hard for earlier high commissioners to present credentials (same source).

### Somalia's envoys to South Africa

- **Sheikh Sharif**: addressed as Somalia's ambassador-designate at a DIRCO workshop in Cape Town on 19 September 2012 ([DIRCO, 2012](https://dirco1.azurewebsites.net/docs/speeches/2012/frans0919.html)).
- **Mohamed Sheikh Isaaq (Isxaaq)**: ambassador at the embassy's opening in July 2025 and at the February 2026 talks ([SONNA, 2025](https://sonna.so/en/minister-of-foreign-affairs-inaugurates-somali-embassy-in-pretoria/); [Somali Foreign Ministry, 2026](https://web.mfa.gov.so/somalia-south-africa-bilateral-talks-in-pretoria/)).
- **Ismail Abdulle Soomane**: deputy ambassador and chargé d'affaires a.i. in April 2026 ([Somali Foreign Ministry, 30 April 2026](https://web.mfa.gov.so/?p=8582)).

## Who built the tie?

- **Maite Nkoana-Mashabane and Abdullahi Haji Hassan**: foreign ministers who signed the 2012 agreement establishing diplomatic relations ([DIRCO](https://dirco.gov.za/kenya/bilateral-relations/)).
- **Marius Fransman**: deputy minister who opened South Africa's first workshop with the Somali diaspora and the peace group ACCORD in September 2012 ([DIRCO, 2012](https://dirco1.azurewebsites.net/docs/speeches/2012/frans0919.html)).
- **Jamal Barrow**: Somali deputy foreign minister who opened South Africa's training course for 25 senior Somali diplomats in March 2013 ([DIRCO](https://dirco.gov.za/kenya/bilateral-relations/)).
- **Ronald Lamola**: South African minister of international relations who met Somali ministers in 2025 and 2026 ([Somali Foreign Ministry, 2025](https://web.mfa.gov.so/?p=7227)).
- **Abdisalam Abdi Ali**: Somali foreign minister who opened the Pretoria embassy building in 2025 ([SONNA](https://sonna.so/en/minister-of-foreign-affairs-inaugurates-somali-embassy-in-pretoria/)).
- **Hassan Mohamed Ali (Nadara)**: Somali deputy foreign minister who visited the Somali community in Johannesburg in April 2026 ([Somali Foreign Ministry, 30 April 2026](https://web.mfa.gov.so/?p=8578)).
- **Somali Association of South Africa**: lead applicant in the 2014 court case that upheld refugees' right to run shops ([SAFLII, [2014] ZASCA 143](https://www.saflii.org/za/cases/ZASCA/2014/143.html)).
- **Mhlekwa Nxumalo**: led a South African business delegation to [Somaliland](/en/states/somaliland-1991-to-2026/) in December 2020 ([Somaliland Chronicle, 21 December 2020](https://somalilandchronicle.com/2020/12/21/exclusive-interview-with-mhlekwa-nxumalo-the-leader-of-the-south-african-delegation-to-somaliland/)).

## What agreements have they signed?

- **2012**: agreement establishing diplomatic relations, signed in Pretoria ([DIRCO](https://dirco.gov.za/kenya/bilateral-relations/)).
- **September 2023**: Bilateral Agreement on General Cooperation, signed by the two foreign ministers at the UN General Assembly (same source).
- **2025**: the ministers discussed memoranda and visa waivers for diplomatic and service passports ([Somali Foreign Ministry, 4 July 2025](https://web.mfa.gov.so/?p=7227)).

## Which leaders have visited?

- **February 2005**: Somaliland's president Dahir Riyale Kahin visited South Africa to meet business, political and religious leaders ([UNPO, 8 February 2005](https://unpo.org/article/1898)).
- **2012**: Somalia's foreign minister Abdullahi Haji Hassan in Pretoria ([DIRCO](https://dirco.gov.za/kenya/bilateral-relations/)).
- **October 2022**: High Commissioner Mahlangu in Mogadishu (same source).
- **3–4 July 2025**: Foreign Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali in Pretoria ([SONNA](https://sonna.so/en/minister-of-foreign-affairs-inaugurates-somali-embassy-in-pretoria/)).
- **3 February 2026**: Abdisalam Abdi Ali in Pretoria ([Somali Foreign Ministry](https://web.mfa.gov.so/somalia-south-africa-bilateral-talks-in-pretoria/)).
- **April 2026**: Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Mohamed Ali in Johannesburg ([Somali Foreign Ministry](https://web.mfa.gov.so/?p=8578)).

## How much do they trade?

South Africa reported exports to Somalia of $9.24 million in 2024, $13.39 million in 2023 and $12.99 million in 2018 ([UN Comtrade, South Africa–Somalia, 2024](https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/A/HS?reporterCode=710&partnerCode=706&period=2024&flowCode=X,M&cmdCode=TOTAL); [2023](https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/A/HS?reporterCode=710&partnerCode=706&period=2023&flowCode=X,M&cmdCode=TOTAL); [2018](https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/A/HS?reporterCode=710&partnerCode=706&period=2018&flowCode=X,M&cmdCode=TOTAL)). Imports from Somalia were $219,106 in 2024 (same source).

Main South African exports to Somalia in 2024 ([UN Comtrade, by chapter](https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/A/HS?reporterCode=710&partnerCode=706&period=2024&flowCode=X&cmdCode=AG2)):

- fruit and nuts, $2.51 million
- machinery, $0.84 million
- meat, $0.71 million
- iron and steel goods, $0.54 million

Somalis in South Africa run many small township grocery shops. In a 2012 study of Delft South in Cape Town, 80% of the foreign shopkeepers were Somali ([Charman and Piper, 2012](https://core.ac.uk/download/62633424.pdf)). See [Somali shops in South Africa](/en/economy/somali-shops-in-south-africa/).

## How much aid and money has gone in?

In 2012 South Africa committed R100 million to help the Transitional Federal Government build institutions ([DIRCO](https://dirco.gov.za/kenya/bilateral-relations/)). In March 2013 it trained 25 senior Somali diplomats (same source).

UN OCHA records these South African humanitarian grants for Somalia ([OCHA Financial Tracking Service](https://api.hpc.tools/v1/public/fts/flow?locationid=206&year=2011&groupby=organization)):

- 2007: $53,606
- 2009: $192,802
- 2011: $1,169,590
- 2012: $198,903
- 2015: $473,530
- 2018: $584,307

## What about security?

South Africa has not sent troops to the AU missions in Somalia ([Dawan Africa, 1 August 2026](https://www.dawan.africa/news/explainer-what-did-the-kampala-aussom-summit-decide-and-why-did-somalia-oppose-part-of-the-communique)). In 2012 it said "a political solution is the only option" and that political negotiations, not military intervention, would bring lasting peace ([DIRCO, March 2012](https://dirco1.azurewebsites.net/docs/2012pq/pq12a.html)). See [Foreign forces in Somalia](/en/institutions/foreign-forces-in-somalia/).

## How does South Africa deal with Somaliland and the member states?

South Africa told its parliament in 2012 that it recognises Somalia as a sovereign state ([DIRCO, March 2012](https://dirco1.azurewebsites.net/docs/2012pq/pq12a.html)). Somaliland's president Dahir Riyale Kahin visited South Africa in February 2005 ([UNPO, 2005](https://unpo.org/article/1898)).

In December 2020 a South African delegation with business people visited Hargeisa and met the president ([Somaliland Chronicle, 21 December 2020](https://somalilandchronicle.com/2020/12/21/exclusive-interview-with-mhlekwa-nxumalo-the-leader-of-the-south-african-delegation-to-somaliland/)). Its leader, Mhlekwa Nxumalo, said recognition would need South Africa to "formally make a decision as a country" (same source). In 2025 and 2026 Lamola backed Somalia's unity and territorial integrity ([Somali Foreign Ministry, 2025](https://web.mfa.gov.so/?p=7227)).

## Have there been disputes?

Attacks on Somali shopkeepers have strained ties. Each side's position is set out below.

- **September 2017**: South Africa's migration committee, chaired by Minister Jeff Radebe, rejected claims by the Somali Community Board that Somalis were being killed every second day in Cape Town ([South African Government, 4 September 2017](https://www.gov.za/node/772848)). "The discourse of Somalian isolation to crime is incorrect," Radebe said (same source).
- **July 2021**: during unrest after Jacob Zuma's jailing, Somalia said four of its nationals had been killed and asked South Africa to protect them ([Garowe Online, 14 July 2021](https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/somalia-raises-concerns-over-deaths-of-its-nationals-in-south-africa)). Its foreign ministry said relations would not be harmed (same source).
- **June 2026**: more than 20 Somalis left Potchefstroom after at least 15 Somali shops were looted during anti-immigration protests ([TimesLIVE, 25 June 2026](https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2026-06-25-somali-nationals-evacuate-potchefstroom-townships-after-spaza-shop-lootings/)). Somalia's embassy urged calm and said no new South African policy targeted Somalis ([AllAfrica, 30 June 2026](https://allafrica.com/stories/202606300583.html)).

## How many Somalis live in South Africa?

At the end of 2025 UNHCR counted 17,931 Somali refugees and 3,905 asylum seekers in South Africa ([UNHCR API](https://api.unhcr.org/population/v1/population/?limit=100&yearFrom=1990&yearTo=2025&coo=SOM&coa=RSA)). See [Somalis in South Africa](/en/diaspora/south-africa/).

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

South Africa's minister attended the [London](/en/diaspora/london/) Conference on Somalia on 23 February 2012 and called for "an inclusive Somali owned peace process" ([DIRCO, March 2012](https://dirco1.azurewebsites.net/docs/2012pq/pq12a.html)). In 2012 it said it was exploring help for Somali ministries in governance, constitution-building and the judiciary (same source). DIRCO says the two countries work together in the UN and the AU, and through IGAD and SADC ([DIRCO](https://dirco.gov.za/kenya/bilateral-relations/)).

## Related pages

- [Somalis in South Africa](/en/diaspora/south-africa/)
- [Somali shops in South Africa](/en/economy/somali-shops-in-south-africa/)
- [Migration routes](/en/diaspora/migration-routes/)
- [Somalia and Tanzania](/en/relations/tanzania/)
- [Somalia and the African Union](/en/relations/african-union/)
- [Dahir Riyale Kahin](/en/people/dahir-riyale-kahin/)
- [Hassan Sheikh Mohamud](/en/people/hassan-sheikh-mohamud/)

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