MOGADISHU: Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre received the Ambassador of the Republic of Yemen to Somalia, Fadl Ali Ahmed Al‑Hanak, at his office in Mogadishu on Saturday. The two officials discussed strengthening the longstanding bilateral relationship between the two Horn of Africa nations, with special focus on joint efforts against human trafficking and the management of migration challenges.
The Somali Prime Minister highlighted the deep historical, cultural, and economic connections that have long linked the two countries. He called for expanding collaboration across several sectors, including security affairs, business activities, and air and sea transportation. The Ambassador expressed gratitude for the Somali government’s hospitality and acknowledged Somalia’s progress in development, security, and democratic institutions. He also conveyed Yemen’s continued support for Somalia’s peace‑building initiatives. In a previous meeting between the two officials in May 2025, the focus was on the situation of Yemeni refugees and diaspora communities in Somalia, where Mr. Barre reaffirmed Somalia’s solidarity with the people of Yemen.
The discussions come amid intensified regional engagement on migration and human trafficking. A senior Somali security delegation recently attended an international conference in Rome co‑hosted by Italy and Egypt to enhance global collaboration against human trafficking and irregular migration. The meeting also coincides with the ongoing repatriation of Somali citizens from war‑torn Yemen. In October 2025, the Federal Government successfully repatriated 148 Somali nationals from Yemen, marking a significant humanitarian achievement. The operation was carried out with the support of the Somali National Commission for Refugees and IDPs (NCRI), UNHCR, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Yemen remains a key transit point for migrants from the Horn of Africa seeking to reach Gulf states. The International Organization for Migration reported that over 17,000 migrants from the Horn of Africa arrived in Yemen in March 2026, a 12 percent decrease compared to the previous month. Twenty‑two percent of those arrivals originated from Somalia. In August 2025, seven Ethiopian migrants died during a sea crossing from Somalia to Yemen after their boat broke down mid‑journey, leaving 250 people stranded for seven days without adequate food or water. Thousands of Somali migrants continue to endure severe hardship in Yemen, where a UN survey found that 56 percent of repatriated Somalis cited a lack of income opportunities as their primary reason for returning.
Somalia and Yemen have also been deepening security cooperation. In October 2025, Yemen’s Defense Minister hosted Somalia’s Ambassador to Yemen in Aden, with discussions focusing on combating illegal migration, terrorism, arms trafficking, and maritime security. A separate high‑level meeting in Cairo between the defense ministers of both countries centered on enhancing defense collaboration and protecting the vital maritime passage connecting the two nations. The two nations have also agreed to strengthen ties in transportation and trade, particularly in maritime and air transport.
The meeting between Prime Minister Barre and Ambassador Al‑Hanak reflects both countries’ shared interest in fostering stronger political, economic, and humanitarian cooperation amid ongoing regional challenges. No formal agreements were announced, but officials described the discussions as productive and indicative of the enduring partnership between Mogadishu and Sana’a.
Recommended Reading on ftlsomalia.com:
- PM Barre Meets Yemeni Ambassador to Discuss Bilateral Ties and Refugee Support
- Somali Security Leaders Join Anti‑Trafficking Conference in Rome
- Somalia Welcomes 148 Citizens Repatriated from Yemen
- Migration to Yemen Decreased in March
- Somali Migrants in Yemen Desperate to Return Home
- Yemen and Somalia Rekindle Security Cooperation
- Somalia and Yemen Hold Cairo Meeting on Maritime and Arms Security
