Mogadishu, Somalia – Sweden has officially appointed Hans Henric Lundqvist as its new ambassador to Somalia, succeeding outgoing envoy Joachim Waern, whose tenure spanned from August 2023 to 2025.
Lundqvist, born in 1974, brings a wealth of diplomatic expertise to the role, having most recently served as Sweden’s ambassador to Ethiopia since 2020. In that capacity, he also oversaw Sweden’s relations with Djibouti, the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
His diplomatic career spans multiple continents, with previous postings in Sudan, Afghanistan, and Moldova, in addition to holding several key positions within the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Stockholm.
The appointment signals Sweden’s continued commitment to deepening its engagement in the Horn of Africa, particularly in areas of peacebuilding, development cooperation, and regional stability. Lundqvist is expected to build on his extensive experience in African affairs to advance bilateral relations between Sweden and Somalia, while supporting Somalia’s ongoing state-building and reform efforts.
The new Ambassador is anticipated to present his credentials to Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in the coming weeks.