ARTA, Djibouti – (SONNA) – The 25th-anniversary commemoration of the Somali Reconciliation Conference in Arta was marked by a state gesture. His Excellency President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud conferred Somalia’s Highest National Honour upon his host, His Excellency President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, an act immediately commended by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as a symbol of “enduring bonds of friendship.“
The regional body celebrated the moment, releasing a statement that declared, “One Region, One Destiny: Celebrating Solidarity and Home-Grown Peace in the IGAD region!“
IGAD lauded the award as a “profound gesture that reflects the enduring bonds of friendship and solidarity between Somalia and Djibouti.” The statement emphasized the historical weight of the 2000 Arta Peace Process, calling Djibouti’s leadership a “defining chapter in our region’s pursuit of peace, a testament to the power of dialogue, courage, and African-led solutions.“
The award was the centerpiece of a day rich with symbolism, as both leaders gathered to honor the quarter-century milestone. The two heads of state jointly inaugurated the “Somali Peace Monument,” a new landmark erected on the hallowed grounds where the 2000 conference first convened.
Following the inauguration, they officially opened the newly established “Arta Museum.” This institution is dedicated to preserving and narrating Somalia’s modern political journey, from independence in 1960, through the era of state collapse, to the arduous path of reconciliation that was championed in Arta.
In his historic address, President Ismail Omar Guelleh recalled the “night and day” diplomatic efforts of 2000. He shared powerful anecdotes of Djibouti’s brotherly commitment, including the “tough love” of holding delegates’ passports, telling them, “We will not give you back your passports until you reach a conclusion. Your country needs you.“
President Guelleh made a poignant call for collective progress, addressing the youth to learn from history. “If yesterday the motto was ‘Each for himself,‘ today we must say, ‘Let us find it together,‘” he declared, concluding with the hopeful proverb, “A beautiful new day has dawned, a promising morning.“
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, in his speech, articulated a clear vision for Somalia’s future, one built upon the very foundations laid in Arta. He stressed the nation’s readiness “to move beyond the politics of personality and clan” and build a stable state based on strong, permanent institutions.
“We want to fulfill the promise we made,” President Mohamud affirmed, “to finalize our provisional constitution and hold ‘One Person, One Vote’ elections.”
The event, which also featured a poignant art exhibition and a documentary film on the 25-year journey, served as a powerful dual tribute. It was a look back to honor the “exemplary statesmanship” of Djibouti that helped forge peace from chaos, and a clear, forward-looking commitment to the shared, stable, and prosperous future celebrated by the entire IGAD region.
