Mogadishu, Somalia – Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Wednesday officially bid farewell to outgoing Swedish Ambassador Joachim Waern during a meeting in Mogadishu, lauding the ambassador’s contributions to advancing bilateral cooperation.
In a statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister, PM Barre expressed gratitude for Waern’s dedicated service in enhancing Somalia’s diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian relations with Sweden.
“Ambassador Waern played a vital role in deepening our bilateral ties, supporting Somalia’s recovery journey through robust humanitarian aid, development support, and high-level diplomatic engagement,” the Prime Minister said.
He also reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to continued collaboration with Sweden, stressing that such partnerships are critical to achieving the country’s peacebuilding, resilience, and development goals.
Amb. Waern’s tenure in Somalia saw Sweden emerge as a consistent partner in areas ranging from peacebuilding and education to climate resilience and women’s empowerment. Swedish-funded programs have supported displaced communities, promoted inclusive governance, and strengthened institutional capacity across federal and regional levels.
Waern, in turn, expressed appreciation for the cooperation he received from the Somali government and its people, pledging that Sweden will remain a close ally and development partner.
The farewell meeting comes as Somalia continues to engage its international partners on shared development goals, economic reforms, and long-term stability amid ongoing security challenges.