Thursday December 4, 2025 {HMC} The Council of Ministers of the Federal Government of Somalia held its weekly meeting today, chaired by Prime Minister H.E. Hamza Abdi Barre, passing a series of transformative legislative bills and international agreements critical to the nation’s legal and environmental framework.

In a landmark decision, the Cabinet approved the Somali Penal Code Bill. This comprehensive revision comes after extensive consultations with Islamic scholars, civil society organizations, and legal experts to ensure the new code aligns with Islamic Sharia law, the national Constitution, and international human rights standards. The modernization of the penal code represents a significant step forward in strengthening the rule of law and updating the country’s justice system.

Addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation, the Council also passed the Bill establishing the National Environmental Management Agency. This new body will be the first of its kind in the country’s history, tasked with regulating environmental protection and combating the severe deforestation and climate shocks affecting Somalia.

Expanding on international cooperation and maritime safety, the Ministers ratified three key agreements:

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Algeria: Focusing on cooperation in the petroleum, gas, and mining sectors.

The International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR Convention 1979): Enhancing Somalia’s capacity to coordinate rescue operations at sea.

The Geneva Conventions Additional Protocols of 12 August 1949: Strengthening Somalia’s commitment to international humanitarian law.

The session also included briefings on national security progress and the ongoing preparations for elections.

Concluding the meeting, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre issued a directive regarding internal stability. He instructed the Cabinet to actively support mediation and peacebuilding efforts to resolve inter-clan conflicts occurring in parts of the country, specifically assigning the Ministry of Interior with the primary responsibility for leading these reconciliation initiatives.

Source Sonna

Thursday December 4, 2025 {HMC} The House of the People of the Federal Parliament of Somalia has officially ratified the Agreement on the Establishment of the East Africa Standby Force (EASF) during a plenary session held today at the Parliament headquarters in Mogadishu.

The session, which marked the 17th meeting of the 7th parliamentary session, was presided over by the Speaker of the House of the People, H.E. Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur. The agreement received overwhelming support from the legislators, reflecting a unified stance on regional security integration.

According to the official vote count announced by the Speaker:

144 Members of Parliament voted in favor of the agreement.

1 MP voted against.

2 MPs abstained.

Following the vote, the State Minister of Defense, MP Omar Ali Abdi, addressed the House to express his gratitude to the lawmakers for their decisive action. He described the ratification as a critical step that demonstrates Somalia’s unwavering commitment and vision regarding the strengthening of security, peace, and cooperation across the East African region.

Minister Abdi further noted the significance of the timing of this ratification, highlighting that it comes shortly after Somalia hosted the 34th Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Defense and Security of the EASF earlier this year. He emphasized that these developments collectively illustrate the leadership role Somalia is increasingly assuming in matters of regional stability and defense architecture.

The East Africa Standby Force is a regional organization whose mandate is to enhance peace and security capabilities. Somalia’s formal ratification of its establishing agreement solidifies the country’s position as a key contributor to the collective security framework of East Africa.

Source Sonna

Thursday December 4, 2025 {HMC}The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Hamza Abdi Barre, officially inaugurated the 6th Somali Youth Leadership and Innovation Summit today in Mogadishu, delivering a powerful call to action for the nation’s young generation.

In his keynote address, Prime Minister Barre emphasized that empowering youth and fostering their creative potential is a critical national priority. He urged young Somalis to forge a path of unity and solidarity, warning against the divisive influence of tribalism which hinders national progress.

The Prime Minister announced significant reforms regarding government employment. He stated that the DanQaran government is currently finalizing legislation to overhaul the recruitment system. Moving forward, all government positions will be filled through a transparent, competitive process based strictly on merit and knowledge, ensuring equal opportunities for all citizens.

“To achieve progress, you must not be satisfied with where you are,” Prime Minister Barre told the gathered youth. “You must bring change and innovation. If you want to lead, you must be a good example to lead others and drive your country’s development.”

Addressing the themes of leadership and state-building, the Prime Minister challenged the youth to “squeeze their minds” to generate positive ideas and to cultivate a deep belief in their country. He noted that successful nations are often built by the vision of a few individuals who introduce new ways of thinking. He identified education, continuous research, and resilience as the cornerstones of success.

Concluding his remarks, H.E. Hamza Abdi Barre encouraged the youth not to fear the future but to actively shape it. He called on them to take their destiny into their own hands by participating fully in the country’s elections and democratic processes.

Source Sonna

Thursday December 4, 2025 {HMC} Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Wednesday received the credentials of eight new ambassadors during a ceremony held at the Presidential Palace in Mogadishu.

The newly accredited ambassadors are: Mohamed Salah Khashta, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Whitjaksono Adjie, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, Hans Henrik Lundqvist, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden, Ennis Force Fernandes, Ambassador of Cuba, Joshua Brenber Tabah, Ambassador of Canada, Reyna Rica Hikka, Ambassador of the Republic of Finland, Saif Katherine Mo, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, and Jaime Alejandro Moreno Boa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain.

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President Hassan Sheikh welcomed the ambassadors and wished them success in their new duties, emphasizing the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Somalia and their respective countries.
He also encouraged the diplomats to engage closely with Somali institutions and support initiatives aimed at promoting peace, trade, and regional integration.

The ambassadors, in turn, conveyed greetings from their national leaders and expressed their wishes for continued progress and prosperity for the Somali people.

Somalia’s growing diplomatic outreach reflects its ambition to reposition itself as a regional actor and reliable international partner. The government continues to pursue deeper engagement in areas such as post-conflict recovery, economic reforms, and counterterrorism cooperation.

The accreditation of the new ambassadors underscores Mogadishu’s efforts to rebuild strong foreign relations after decades of conflict and institutional fragmentation.

SOurce Hiiraan Online