Thursday January 30, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) – Somali Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, signed three strategic agreements with Tanzanian officials on Wednesday to enhance collaboration in security, cultural development, and the exchange of prisoners.
The agreements were signed alongside Tanzanian Minister of Information, Heritage, Culture and Sports Prof. Palamagamba John Aidan Mwaluko and Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Innocent Lugha Bashungwa, in a ceremony held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The agreements covered cooperation in security and safety, the exchange of prisoners, and a Memorandum of Understanding on developing the Swahili language and culture.
The event was attended by Somali Minister of Water and Energy, MP Abdullahi Bidhan, Somali Ambassador to Tanzania Ilyas Ali Hassan, and Deputy Director of the Somali Presidential Palace Mohamed Amin Osman.
The Somali government stated that the agreements, particularly regarding the exchange of prisoners, are significant as they will facilitate the repatriation of Somali citizens currently held in Tanzanian prisons.
Swahili, one of the official languages of the East African Community (EAC)—of which Somalia became a member in March 2024—is spoken by many member states. The new cooperation aims to promote Swahili language development, which is seen as an important aspect of regional integration.
In December 2024, Somalia and Tanzania had already signed four key agreements covering political cooperation, defense, health, and tourism during a meeting in Mogadishu, further underscoring the strengthening ties between the two nations.