MOGADISHU: Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Wednesday received the new Ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti to Somalia, Osman Dubbad Sugulle, at his office in the capital, reaffirming the longstanding strategic partnership between the two Horn of Africa nations.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office, the meeting focused on strengthening the deep-rooted fraternal ties and expanding bilateral cooperation across political, security, and economic sectors. Ambassador Sugulle, who recently presented his credentials to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, conveyed greetings and a message from Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh, emphasising the importance of further enhancing collaboration between the two neighbouring countries. Prime Minister Barre congratulated the new envoy on his appointment and wished him success in his diplomatic duties. He also extended his congratulations to Djibouti’s newly reappointed Prime Minister, Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, wishing him success and strength in his renewed responsibilities.
Ambassador Sugulle brings extensive military and diplomatic experience to his new role. He previously served as commander of the Djiboutian contingent under the African Union peacekeeping mission’s Sector 4, now operating under the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). The Djiboutian forces stationed in the Hiiraan region of central Somalia, widely known as “Hiil-Walaal” (Somali for “brothers in arms”), have been instrumental in stabilising the region, working alongside the Somali National Army to secure key areas. Ambassador Sugulle’s military background is expected to further strengthen security collaboration between the two nations.
The meeting follows a series of recent high-level engagements that have deepened the strategic alliance between Mogadishu and Djibouti. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited Djibouti in March 2026 for a strategic working visit, holding talks with President Guelleh on security, trade, and economic partnership. The two countries have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on political consultations, establishing a framework for regular dialogue between the two governments on pressing political, economic, and security matters.
In the security domain, Somalia and Djibouti have reached an agreement to enhance defence and security cooperation, a development officials say will bolster Somalia’s stabilisation initiatives and improve regional coordination against common threats. The consensus was established during discussions between Somali Defence Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi and his Djiboutian counterpart, Hassan Omar Mohamed, in Mogadishu alongside a regional defence conference. Both parties anticipate that this closer partnership will facilitate joint planning, intelligence sharing, and operational coordination.
The appointment of Ambassador Sugulle marks the formal start of his diplomatic mission, following the departure of his predecessor, Mohamed Ibraahim Yuusuf, who concluded his tour earlier this month. The ceremony reaffirms the enduring strategic alliance between Somalia and Djibouti, as both nations continue to strengthen ties across multiple fronts, including joint military planning, intelligence sharing, and operational coordination aimed at fortifying Somalia’s security apparatus and promoting stability across the Horn of Africa.
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