Somalia’s Prime Minister, Hamza Abdi Barre, on Thursday officially closed the Heritage Institute Forum held in Dhusamareb, the capital of Galmudug State, praising the conference for taking place at a pivotal moment in the country’s transformation.
The Prime Minister said the forum coincided with a period of major national change in security, economic recovery, development, and diplomacy, citing the recent peaceful elections in the capital as evidence of growing political stability and public confidence in democratic processes.
He noted that improvements in security and diplomatic engagement have enabled Somalia to successfully counter threats to its sovereignty, commending international partners for their continued support of the country’s unity and independence.
Addressing the humanitarian situation, Prime Minister Hamza said ongoing drought conditions have affected approximately 4.4 million people, many of whom are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
The Prime Minister stressed that Somalia will not accept any actions that undermine its sovereignty or territorial integrity, reiterating the government’s readiness to pursue peace and cooperation based on mutual interests. He emphasized that both the government and the Somali people remain united in opposing any attempts to divide the country.
In a major economic announcement, Prime Minister Hamza revealed that oil exploration activities are set to begin in May this year in parts of Galmudug, describing the move as a key step toward economic growth and national development.
Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister called on Somali political leaders to embrace unity and dialogue, reaffirming that the door to national consultations remains open in Mogadishu.
