Tanzania pledges support for Somalia as they agree on strengthening bilateral ties

Dar es Salaam. President Samia Suluhu Hassan has said that her government is ready to provide various training programmes to Somalia in various fields, including defence and security, or other areas of government service.

President Hassan made the remarks on April 27, 2024, during a press briefing at the State House in Dar es Salaam, while giving feedback on discussions and agreements reached between her and the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Dr Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who is in the country on an official visit.

The discussions between President Hassan and her counterpart have injected new impetus into the relationship between the two nations.

This marks the first visit by the Somali President to the country since assuming office, where he also attended the celebrations marking 60 years of the Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar on Thursday.

In her brief speech, President Hassan said: "We commend Somalia for its efforts to continue restoring peace and security in their country, as evidenced by the African Union Peace and Security Council, as well as other international forums; Tanzania will continue to support efforts to restore peace in the country."

"We have expressed our readiness as a country to provide training in various fields, whether in defence and security or other areas of government service," President Hassan said.

She seized the opportunity to commend Somalia's efforts in advancing its national priorities and overseeing its nation's agenda through political consultations while restoring peace in the country.

According to her, Tanzania will continue to support efforts to restore peace in that country. "We have assured them of our support in building their capacity as a country to defend themselves," she said.

President Hassan said that despite Tanzania and Somalia having a long-standing relationship and interaction, their discussions have touched on ways to further strengthen cooperation and relations between the two countries.

"We have seen the importance of having a formal system to enhance this relationship; we intend to strengthen cooperation meetings between Tanzania and Somalia, and through our sectoral meetings, we will identify areas and projects of cooperation that are beneficial to both of us."

"We have agreed that our sectorial ministers and experts, coordinated by the foreign ministers, will meet, discuss, and then identify areas of cooperation," President Hassan said.

She also said that the Somali government has been taking significant steps to promote economic and social development; thus, they have agreed to strengthen relations in these areas, especially in the health and education sectors.

She said the Tanzanian government has extended an invitation for Somalia to visit the country anytime they need assistance in the education and health sectors, and they are ready to help.

Regarding international and regional cooperation, President Hassan praised Somalia for becoming a member of the East African Community and pledged cooperation in implementing various integration requirements to benefit both Tanzania and the country.

"We discussed the importance of our countries taking deliberate steps to promote trade and investment so that our people can take advantage of these opportunities within the East African Community; we have pledged our cooperation in regional and international forums where our countries are members," President Hassan said.

President Mohamud thanked his counterpart, President Hassan, for her invitation to visit the country, saying that Tanzania and Somalia were close partners based on principles of mutual respect.

"My sister (President Hassan), I am very pleased with our strategic discussions to enhance cooperation. Somalia has various ways to build the economy, and we have succeeded in reducing the national debt. We are happy to be part of the East African Community."

"This cooperation will enable Somalia and Tanzania to make good use of the existing opportunities; we are very grateful for your leadership and your kindness to us. This cooperation will also benefit in terms of security and regional cooperation," said President Mohamud.

President Mohamud said his country respects international systems and laws, so the Tanzanian government's intention to stand with them is a great help given the times they have been through.

"We will continue to seek assistance in various sectors of expertise. Somalia will continue to exchange experiences to build peace and stability," promised the President.