Hargeisa, (Hornpost) The President of the Republic of Somaliland, H.E. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro), today received a high-level delegation led by H.E. Ambassador Annette Weber, the European Union Special Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, at the Presidential Palace in Hargeisa.
PRESS RELEASE
The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation and partnership between the Republic of Somaliland and the European Union (EU).
President Abdirahman Irro warmly welcomed the EU delegation and expressed appreciation for their historic visit to Somaliland, noting the symbolic and practical significance of such engagements.
President Abdirahman Irro thanked the European Union for its continued development support to Somaliland across key sectors including governance, institutional capacity building, infrastructure, education, water access, food security, democracy, environment, and climate change adaptation.
During the discussions, President Irro reaffirmed his government’s steadfast commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and democratic governance in the Horn of Africa. He emphasized that his administration prioritizes inclusive peace and coexistence among all Somaliland communities.
The President also outlined recent progress made under his government, including an unconditional peace initiative in eastern Sool, the de-escalation of conflicts in Sanag, and the demobilization and reintegration of over 6,000 armed civilians along with their weapons and vehicles—an effort achieved without external assistance.
President Irro further highlighted Somaliland’s strategic and security role in protecting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. With a coastline spanning over 800 kilometers, Somaliland plays a critical part in regional maritime security and stability, making its inclusion in international dialogues essential.
Ambassador Weber, for her part, thanked President Irro for the warm reception and praised Somaliland’s efforts in promoting peace and democratic governance in a region often marked by instability. She commended the President’s leadership and expressed the EU’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with Somaliland.
Ambassador Weber also lauded the peace and democratic maturity of Somaliland, stating that the EU remains committed to exploring avenues for deeper engagement and sustainable collaboration between the two parties.
In conclusion, both sides acknowledged the importance of fostering a closer, results-driven partnership and a shared vision for long-lasting peace and inclusive development in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.
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Hornpost staff Reporter