Mogadishu, Somalia – Somalia’s Southwest State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed Laftagareen held talks on Wednesday in Mogadishu with Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Somalia, Ahmed bin Mohamed Al-Muwalad, in what officials described as a warm and forward-looking engagement focused on deepening bilateral cooperation.
According to a statement from the Southwest State administration, the two leaders discussed expanding collaboration in key areas including development, trade, health, and education — sectors that remain critical to rebuilding and stabilizing one of Somalia’s most populous federal states.
President Laftagareen expressed gratitude to the Kingdom for its longstanding support to Somalia, particularly in humanitarian relief and infrastructure assistance. Ambassador Al-Muwalad, in turn, reaffirmed Riyadh’s commitment to standing with the Somali people and strengthening ongoing partnerships aimed at advancing peace and prosperity.
Though details of specific projects were not immediately disclosed, officials familiar with the talks suggested that both sides are exploring avenues for direct investment and technical cooperation, especially in public service delivery and youth employment initiatives.
The meeting comes at a time when Gulf engagement in Somalia is increasingly shaped by strategic development rather than short-term aid. For Southwest State — still recovering from years of conflict and drought — the promise of deeper ties with Saudi Arabia signals not just diplomacy, but a tangible lifeline toward sustainable state-building.