Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud leads third Somalia-EU Partnership Meeting, focusing on democracy, security, and development under the Joint Operational Roadmap
On Wednesday, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud led the third Somalia–European Union (EU) Partnership Meeting in the capital, Mogadishu. The goal of the meeting was to strengthen the relationship between Somalia and the EU, and to push forward shared goals under a plan they launched in May 2023 called the Joint Operational Roadmap.
This important meeting brought together top EU ambassadors, Somali government leaders, and other international partners. Together, they looked at what has been achieved so far and how they can keep working together, especially in the areas of politics, security, and development.
During the meeting, President Mohamud spoke about his government’s current plans for Somalia. He explained their focus on peacebuilding, stabilizing security, and improving how the government runs. One of the big goals is to introduce direct elections and move away from Somalia’s traditional clan-based political system.
“We want to build a democracy that includes everyone and is supported by strong and fair institutions,” the president said. “Our recent actions, like starting the National Dialogue Initiative, show that we are serious about bringing the country together and defeating the threat of Al-Shabaab.”
This meeting follows earlier discussions between Somalia and the EU. These talks are part of an ongoing effort to help Somalia become more stable, democratic, and economically strong. According to a statement from the Somali presidency (Villa Somalia), the support Somalia gets from the EU is very important for rebuilding the country, especially its military and government systems.
President Mohamud added, “Somalia is very grateful for the EU’s continued support. We are working together to build a future that is peaceful, democratic, and full of opportunities for our people.”
The Joint Operational Roadmap that both sides follow outlines the areas they will focus on together. These include:
-
Peacebuilding: Helping Somalia become more stable and peaceful.
-
Security reform: Improving the Somali security forces and reducing the threat of terrorism.
-
Economic recovery: Supporting projects that grow the economy and create jobs.
-
Governance: Helping build better systems for elections, justice, and public services.
One major part of this roadmap is the move toward direct elections. For years, Somalia has used a clan-based political system where clan leaders choose representatives. Now, the government wants to replace that with a fairer, one-person-one-vote system. This will allow everyday citizens to choose their leaders directly.
Another important effort is the fight against Al-Shabaab, an extremist group that has caused much violence in Somalia. The government is taking steps to defeat this group and improve safety across the country.
The National Dialogue Initiative, which the president mentioned, is also an effort to bring Somalis together. It’s a way to encourage conversations and agreements among different groups in society, so everyone feels included in the country’s future.
In conclusion, this latest meeting between Somalia and the EU shows how serious both sides are about working together. The EU continues to play a big role in supporting Somalia, and the Somali government is pushing ahead with big reforms to improve life for its people. With continued cooperation and commitment, both Somalia and the EU hope to build a stronger, more peaceful country for the future.