Mogadishu, Somalia – Somalia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Isaak Mohamud Mursal, on Thursday officially received the credentials of Ms. Sandra Lattouf, the newly appointed United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative to Somalia.
The credential ceremony took place at the Ministry’s headquarters in Mogadishu, where the Deputy Minister warmly welcomed Ms. Lattouf and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with UNICEF in promoting the rights and welfare of Somali children.
During their meeting, the two officials discussed ongoing joint efforts in child protection, education, health, and nutrition. Hon. Mursal praised UNICEF’s critical role in supporting Somalia’s most vulnerable populations, especially in conflict-affected and hard-to-reach areas. He expressed hope for deeper collaboration in addressing systemic challenges such as child malnutrition, access to education, and the reintegration of former child soldiers.
Ms. Lattouf, for her part, expressed her appreciation for the warm welcome and reaffirmed UNICEF’s readiness to continue partnering closely with Somali institutions to improve the lives of children and families across the country.
Her appointment comes at a time when Somalia is navigating complex humanitarian and development challenges, including climate-related shocks, displacement, and ongoing efforts to rebuild essential public services.
Ms. Lattouf succeeds outgoing Representative Wafaa Saeed, who served in the role since 2021. UNICEF’s work in Somalia remains critical to advancing sustainable peace and development, with the agency operating across all federal member states.