Djibouti City — Djibouti on Thursday hosted a series of solemn and celebratory events to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the landmark Arta Peace Conference — the 2000 gathering that laid the foundations for Somalia’s modern political recovery after nearly a decade of state collapse.
The commemoration, held in the coastal town of Arta and presided over by Djibouti’s President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, brought together regional leaders, diplomats, and Somali political figures across party lines. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud led the delegation from Mogadishu, joined by several opposition presidential candidates and elder statesmen who once played key roles in Somalia’s post-war reconciliation.
In his opening remarks, President Guelleh reflected on the significance of the conference, calling it “a moment of collective hope born from devastation.” He praised the courage of Somali delegates who, in 2000, set aside deep divisions to chart a path toward rebuilding a nation in ruins.
“The Arta process was not just a peace conference, it was the rebirth of Somali sovereignty through dialogue, brotherhood, and faith in unity,” President Guelleh said.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, speaking at the ceremony, described Arta as a turning point that “rekindled Somalia’s statehood when the world had almost given up.” He thanked Djibouti for its enduring solidarity, noting that the seeds planted in Arta “continue to nourish Somalia’s democracy and institutions today, even as the journey remains unfinished.”
Attendees observed a moment of silence in memory of the Somali elders, community leaders, and peacebuilders who participated in the original talks but have since passed away. The event also featured panel discussions revisiting the outcomes and lessons of the 2000 conference, as well as exhibitions highlighting photographs and archival materials from that historic period.
The Arta Peace Conference, convened from May to August 2000 under Djibouti’s mediation, was the first major attempt to re-establish a central Somali government since 1991. It resulted in the formation of the Transitional National Government (TNG) and introduced a clan-based power-sharing framework that would later influence Somalia’s federal system.
Twenty-five years later, as Somalia continues to grapple with security challenges and political transitions, many see the anniversary as a reminder of both how far the country has come and the work that remains.
The commemorations conclude with a cultural evening showcasing Somali and Djiboutian music and poetry — a tribute to the enduring spirit of unity that began in Arta a quarter-century ago.