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Denmark–Somalia relations

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Denmark–Somalia relations
Map indicating locations of Denmark and Somalia

Denmark
Somalia

Denmark–Somalia relationsarebilateral relationsbetweenDenmarkandSomalia.

History

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Diplomatic relations between Denmark and Somalia were established on 9 July 1960, shortly after the independence of theSomali Republic.[1]

During theSiad Barreadministration, Somalia and Denmark strengthened cooperation. The Danish International Development Agency agreed to provide a $1.4 million loan toward the development of Somalia's northern fisheries industry.[2]Additionally, the Somali and Danish foreign ministries signed a loan agreement in 1981, wherein 45 million DKK (US$8,284,410.00) was issued to Somalia to finance imports of Danish capital goods, as well as local cost expenditures and purchases of Danish capital equipment and services.[3]

In September 1992, Danish Foreign MinisterUffe Ellemann Jensenand other senior officials visited southern Somalia, one of the first foreign delegations to do so since the start of thecivil warthe year before.[4]The Danish authorities in the ensuing years maintained relations with Somalia's newly establishedTransitional National Governmentand its successor theTransitional Federal Government.

The subsequent establishment of theFederal Government of Somaliain August 2012 was welcomed by the Danish authorities, who re-affirmed its continued support for the Somali government, its territorial integrity and sovereignty.[5]In December 2013, the Danish government appointed Geert Aagaard Andersen as the new Danish ambassador to Somalia, the first in twenty years. Andersen presented his credentials to Somali PresidentHassan Sheikh Mohamudat a ceremony in Mogadishu.[6]

In November 2019, Danish Foreign MinisterJeppe Kofodvisited Mogadishu where he met Somali Prime MinisterHassan Ali Khaireand Foreign Minister Ahmed Isse Awad. After the trip, Kofod stated that Denmark would open a representation office in the country.[7]

Development cooperation

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Developmental engagement between Denmark and Somalia dates back to 1980. Over the following 17 years, Denmark contributed 532 million DKK to Somalia, 63% of which constituted development funds and 37% humanitarian aid. This was a tiny fraction of the total development funding that Somalia received during the period as a Western ally.[8]From 1984 to 1986, Somalia received US$5.5 million in development funds from Denmark, representing 0.8% of foreign assistance.[9]

The Danish development projects in Somalia were later aborted after the start of the civil war in 1991.[8]In 1992, the Danish authorities assisted Somalia with $7.5 million, but asserted that they were not in a position to specify the exact amount of funds that would be allotted for the following year until the security situation improved.[10]Denmark and Germany later sent $4.5 million to Somalia in 2000, earmarked fordemining.[11]From 2003 to 2006, the Danish authorities also contributed 15 million DKK toward a water project in Somalia's northwesternSomalilandregion, with a water supply inErigavo.[12]

With the security situation in Somalia improved, the Danish Foreign Ministry launched its new development policy in 2011 based on active diplomacy, security, governance, living standards, growth and employment. Within this official framework, the Danish government engaged Somalia's constituentautonomous regions,includingPuntland,Somaliland and South Central Somalia, through theInterpeaceprogrammes on democratisation, peace and women's engagement. It also established and funded the Somaliland Fund for the Somaliland regional administration's key areas. Additionally, local governance accountability and transparency were supported through JPLG, as well as gender equality via theUNDP.In terms of growth and employment, Denmark supported enabling business sector environment and fisheries and gums/resins value chains via theWorld BankPSD programme in Puntland and Somaliland. It likewise supported marketing and institutional development through Terra Nuova in both regions' livestock sectors. To strengthen living standards, the Danish authorities also engaged in humanitarian support through the CHF and NGOs. In total, the development budget for 2011-14 was DKK 364 million, with DKK 20 million reserved for peace initiatives in Somalia.[13]

Diplomatic missions

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Denmark has a non-resident embassy for Somalia inNairobi,Kenya.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^"Our Diplomatic Relations".Government of Somalia.Archived fromthe originalon 24 July 2011.Retrieved28 June2011.
  2. ^"Somali Fishing Industry Has Potential for Growth"(PDF).National Marine Fisheries Service.National Marine Fisheries Service.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 21 July 2011.Retrieved28 June2011.
  3. ^Agreement on a Danish Government loan to the Somali Democratic Republic (with annexes and exchange of letters). Signed at Stockholm on 24 March 1981(PDF).Vol. 20676.Stockholm:United Nations Treaty Series.24 March 1981. p. 7.Retrieved29 June2011.
  4. ^Stuart, Mark (1998).Douglas Hurd: The Public Servant: An Authorised Biography.Mainstream Publishing Company, Limited. p. 410.ISBN1840181257.
  5. ^"Communiqué on Secretary-General's Mini-Summit on Somalia".United Nations.Retrieved7 August2013.
  6. ^"Denmark restores diplomatic ties with Somalia".SomaliCurrent.17 December 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 30 December 2013.Retrieved30 December2013.
  7. ^"Jeppe Kofod nåede ikke længere end lufthavnen på hemmeligt visit i Somalia".DR(in Danish). 6 November 2019.Retrieved26 November2022.
  8. ^ab"Aid under fire in Somalia"(PDF).Retrieved29 June2011.
  9. ^Abdi Ismail Samatar (1989).The state and rural transformation in Northern Somalia, 1884-1986.University of Wisconsin Press.p. 149.ISBN0-299-11994-7.Retrieved13 July2011.
  10. ^"UN falls short of Somali fund-raising goal".The Post and Courier.14 March 1993. p. 10.Retrieved18 October2011.
  11. ^(Organization), Human Rights Watch (2001).Landmine monitor report by International Campaign to Ban Landmines.p. 259.ISBN1-56432-262-9.Retrieved29 June2011.
  12. ^"Vandprogram i Somaliland".DANIDA(in Danish).Retrieved28 June2011.
  13. ^"Danida Assistance to Somalia 2011-14".Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. Archived fromthe originalon 30 December 2013.Retrieved30 December2013.
  14. ^"Somalia".Government of Denmark(in Danish).Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Denmark).Archived fromthe originalon 4 August 2012.Retrieved28 June2011.
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