BY HAN News Desk
DJIBOUTI — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has been warmly received in Djibouti, where he is attending celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the re-establishment of Somalia’s Third Republic. The event commemorates the 2000 Djibouti Peace Conference held in the town of Arta (Carta), which paved the way for Somalia’s first transitional government after nearly a decade of state collapse.
Upon arrival at Djibouti International Airport, President Hassan Sheikh and his delegation were welcomed by Djibouti’s President Ismail Omar Guelleh, senior government officials, and diplomats. The welcoming ceremony featured national flags of both countries and a guard of honour, symbolising the close and longstanding ties between the two Horn of Africa nations.
In his remarks, President Guelleh praised President Hassan Sheikh’s ongoing efforts to stabilise Somalia and strengthen governance institutions. He reaffirmed Djibouti’s continued commitment to supporting Somalia’s peace and reconstruction process. President Hassan Sheikh, for his part, thanked Djibouti for its steadfast support and its historic role in helping Somalia restore governance and national unity.
The anniversary celebration also featured the official inauguration of the Horn of Africa Reconciliation Centre, named the “Carta Peace Monument”, a new regional institution dedicated to promoting peace and dialogue across the Horn of Africa. The monument honours Djibouti’s central role in facilitating the 2000 Somali reconciliation conference, which brought together delegates from across Somalia to form a transitional national government under former President Abdiqasim Salad Hassan.
President Hassan Sheikh is expected to deliver a keynote address highlighting Somalia’s progress since the Arta peace process, the challenges that remain in achieving full stability, and the importance of regional cooperation for lasting peace and prosperity in the Horn of Africa.
During his visit, President Hassan Sheikh will also hold bilateral talks with President Guelleh and other regional leaders to discuss security cooperation, trade, and strategies to strengthen political and economic ties between Somalia and Djibouti.
The commemoration in Djibouti is seen as a symbolic moment, reminding both nations of their shared history in peacebuilding and their continued partnership in advancing stability and development across the region.
