MOGADISHU — The Council of Ministers of the Federal Government of Somalia, presided over by Prime Minister H.E. Hamza Abdi Barre, held its weekly meeting on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
The session resulted in the endorsement of a significant maritime partnership agreement with Turkey and the establishment of a new legal framework for national disaster management.
Maritime Cooperation with Ankara
The Cabinet endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Somalia and the Republic of Turkey focused on maritime transportation collaboration. According to the Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport, the agreement aims to enhance commercial logistics, modernize port operations, and facilitate the mutual recognition of seafarer certifications.
The accord also includes provisions for expanding technical cooperation and training, a move officials state is vital for rebuilding maritime governance in the nation with Africa’s longest coastline.
Adopting Global Standards
In a further push to align the sector with international benchmarks, the Council embraced several key conventions:
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The Maritime Labour Convention (2006)
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The Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks (2007)
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The International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships (1969)
These measures are intended to clarify shipowner liability, protect the marine environment, and improve working conditions for Somali seafarers.
Disaster Management Framework
Addressing the nation’s climate crisis, the Council sanctioned the Regulation for the National Fund for Risk and Disaster Management.
This legislative instrument seeks to standardize the nation’s preparedness and response protocols for both natural and human-induced calamities. The regulation aims to cultivate a self-sustaining approach, combining governmental capacity with public participation to guarantee effective crisis management during ongoing drought conditions.
Combating Human Trafficking
The meeting concluded with a presentation from the National Committee on Combating Smuggling and Human Trafficking. The Committee delivered a sobering evaluation of the risks confronting Somali youth through illicit migration channels, highlighting the grave danger these routes pose to the nation’s future human resources.
