Djibouti City, Djibouti – At the 25th anniversary of the historic Arta Peace Conference in Djibouti, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud delivered a speech that echoed with purpose and conviction — a call for a renewed national mission built on three pillars: liberation from terrorism, the strengthening of democracy, and the fight against poverty.
Speaking before dignitaries, former leaders, and citizens who gathered to mark the milestone, President Mohamud described Somalia’s moment as “a test of endurance and a test of vision.” He declared that the country must now focus its collective energy on the most pressing goals: freeing Somalia from the grip of the Khawarij (the term used for the Al-Shabaab extremists), constructing resilient democratic institutions, and using Somalia’s abundant natural and human resources to end poverty once and for all.
“Our journey began in Arta twenty-five years ago with the dream of peace and unity. Today, we must complete that journey — by liberating our land, by empowering our people through democratic governance, and by ensuring no Somali goes hungry in a country blessed with so much potential,” President Mohamud said.
The President’s message struck a balance between reflection and determination. He praised the Arta process of 2000, which gave birth to Somalia’s first transitional government after years of civil war, but emphasized that true peace must now be anchored in self-reliance, accountability, and national cohesion.
He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to finalizing the country’s provisional constitution and preparing for the long-promised “One Person, One Vote” elections — a move widely seen as the ultimate break from clan-based politics that have long shaped Somali governance.
Mohamud also highlighted the economic front, underscoring the need to harness Somalia’s coastline, livestock, fisheries, and mineral wealth responsibly to reduce dependence on foreign aid and create jobs for the country’s youthful population.
“Somalia’s strength lies not just in its resilience, but in its resources. If we govern them wisely, we can defeat poverty as surely as we defeat terror,” he noted.
The President’s speech comes at a defining juncture for Somalia — a nation still battling extremist violence while making visible gains in state-building, debt relief, and institutional reform. His words at Arta were not merely ceremonial; they served as a roadmap for the next phase of Somalia’s transformation.
As the sun set over Djibouti, where peace was first reimagined a quarter-century ago, the symbolism was not lost on many in attendance. Arta was once about ending a war. Today, President Mohamud made it about winning the future.