Lubumbashi, DRC – The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia to Tanzania and the East African Community (EAC), Ilyas Ali Hassan, held a consultative meeting with members of the Somali community and business leaders in Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga Province, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Saturday.
The meeting focused on listening to the concerns of Somali residents and entrepreneurs, discussing their living conditions, and identifying ways to strengthen cooperation between the Somali Embassy and the diaspora community.
During the meeting, issues raised included business registration, security, legal documentation, and access to education for Somali families living in the DRC.
Ambassador Ilyas commended the Somali community for their resilience, unity, and contributions to the local economy.
He assured them that the Somali Embassy accredited to the DRC remains committed to supporting their welfare and addressing the challenges they face.
Earlier, Ambassador Ilyas and his delegation received a warm welcome upon arrival in Lubumbashi from officials of the DRC government and members of the Somali community.
The visit is part of his broader mission to assess the situation of Somali nationals residing across the DRC and strengthen bilateral cooperation between Somalia and the Central African nation.
During the ongoing mission, the Ambassador had also met with members of the Somali community in Kinshasa, where discussions centred on improving community organization, promoting business opportunities, and enhancing collaboration with local authorities.
In a statement, the Office of the Somali Ambassador to Tanzania and the EAC reaffirmed that the visit reflects the Federal Government of Somalia’s commitment to protecting the rights of Somali citizens abroad and deepening diplomatic, economic, and social ties with East and Central African nations.
