JOINT STATEMENT ON THE OCCASION OF THE WORKING VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY HASSAN SHEIKH MOHAMUD, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF SOMALIA TO THE REPUBLIC OF DJIBOUTI, ON 21 OCTOBER, 2024
- 1. At the invitation of His Excellency Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti, His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, paid a working visit to the Republic of Djipouti on October 21, 2024
2. His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, led a high-level delegation comprised of Ministers and senior officials of the Federal Republic Of Somalia.
3. The two Heads of State held a bilateral meeting where they reaffirmed their firm commitment to peace and security in Somalia and the region.
4. His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud warmly congratulated his Djiboutian counterpart, His Excellency Ismail Omar Guelleh, for his tireless efforts in promoting peacebuilding and state-building initiatives in Somalia, as well as his remarkable role in peace restoration, and security. Security and stability in Somalia. The President also praised the role of the Djibouti National Defense Forces, the Somali National Armed Forces, and the contribution countries of African Union troops in the fight against terrorism.
5. The two Heads of State exchanged views on the security situation in Somalia and the region, and stressed the need to respect Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, as well as maintaining peace, security and stability in the Horn of Africa and across the African continent as a whole.
6. The Heads of State hailed the creation of the new African Union in Somalia (AUSSOM) Support and Stabilization Mission and acknowledged the achievements of its predecessor, ATMIS. They also stressed that the mission is scheduled to begin on January 1, 2025 and that it is crucial to explore all funding options, including UN resolution 2719. The Heads of State stressed that AUSSOM must have predictable and sustainable funding.
7. The Heads of State also noted the importance of supporting adequate implementation of the Somali Security Development Plan and strengthening the capacities of the Somalia Security Forces (SSF). They have called on the international community to support building these capacities to ensure a smooth transition at the end of the AUSSOM mission.
8. The Heads of State stressed the need to ensure a smooth transition from ATMIS to AUSSOM.
9. In order to strengthen and consolidate close cooperation between the two countries, the two Heads of State stressed the urgency to convene a session of the Joint Cooperation Commission (CMC) at the earliest possible time. So they have instructed their foreign ministers to organize a session of the CMC, dates and venue to be confirmed diplomatically.
10. His Excellency President Ismail Omar Guelleh has reiterated to his Somali counterpart, His Excellency Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Djibouti’s continued solidarity and brotherly support towards the sister nation Somalia.
