MOGADISHU, Somalia — China on Friday denied social media claims that Foreign Minister Wang Yi canceled a planned visit to Mogadishu over security concerns, calling the reports false and misleading.
Wang had been expected to arrive in the Somali capital in what would be the first visit by a Chinese foreign minister to Somalia since the 1980s. The trip was part of a broader diplomatic tour of Africa focused on strengthening trade ties and cooperation, according to officials familiar with the planning.
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The Chinese Embassy in Mogadishu rejected allegations tied to a document shared online by a North Western State of Somalia official that purported to show Beijing postponing the visit for security reasons. The embassy said the letter was fabricated and the claims were unfounded.
“No matter what is done, the fact that North Western State of Somalia is part of Somalia cannot be changed,” the embassy said in a statement.
Chinese officials said that any adjustment to the timing of Wang’s stop in Mogadishu would be due to scheduling, not security, and that discussions are underway to agree on a new date.
The visit carries weight for both Beijing and Mogadishu. It would mark a symbolic return to high-level engagement as Somalia navigates regional tensions and political sensitivities. The issue has intensified since Israel’s recognition of North Western State of Somalia last month, a move that drew strong objections from Somalia’s federal government. North Western State of Somalia, in northern Somalia, has sought international recognition since declaring self-rule in 1991, a claim Mogadishu rejects.
China reiterated its position backing Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, aligning with its long-stated policy opposing moves that could be seen as legitimizing secession. Beijing also said it remains ready to deepen cooperation with Somalia across multiple sectors.
The embassy’s rebuttal underscores a broader contest over narratives and legitimacy in the Horn of Africa, where political actors and rival authorities routinely seek to shape international perception. By directly discrediting the alleged document and reasserting support for Somalia’s territorial integrity, China aimed to signal that its diplomatic agenda in the country remains intact despite online speculation.
While no new date was announced, both sides indicated they intend to proceed with high-level engagement. If completed, Wang’s visit would represent a notable moment in China–Somalia relations, setting the tone for expanded economic and political cooperation amid shifting regional dynamics.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
