Somalia and Tanzania sign landmark agreements to strengthen bilateral relations

Somalia and Tanzania have signed multiple cooperation agreements aimed at enhancing bilateral relations across key sectors, including Foreign Affairs, Health, Tourism, Defense, and Education.

Led by Tanzania's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, the high-level delegation formalized agreements to establish frameworks for diplomatic relations, regional stability, improved healthcare systems, tourism development, defence collaboration, and education enhancement.

The agreement also included health sector collaboration to improve healthcare systems in both countries, tourism development to boost tourism, a defence and security agreement to strengthen defence and cooperation on education to improve and enhance education sectors.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia (Centre) meets the high-level Tanzania delegation. (Villa Somalia).

Speaking last night when the Tanzanian delegation led by Foreign Minister Mahmoud paid him a courtesy call at Villa Somalia in Mogadishu after signing the agreements, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud thanked the delegation and the United Republic of Tanzania for enhancing bilateral relations with Somalia.

'The President received a cordial message from Tanzania's President Samia Suluhu Hassan and reaffirmed the importance Somalia puts on the strengthening of bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries and in particular the several cooperation agreements the two nations signed in Mogadishu," a statement from President Hassan's office said.

Mahmoud hailed the agreements signed between the nations, saying it would further cement the good relations the two nations have historically enjoyed.

"Today marks a significant milestone in Tanzania-Somalia relations. These agreements pave the way for practical collaboration and shared progress across critical sectors," he said.

His Somalia counterpart Ahmed Moalim Fiqi said the agreements signed in Mogadishu followed discussions earlier this year when President Hassan paid a courtesy call to President Samia.

Tanzania's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo (left) and Somalia's Defense Minister Abdikadir Mohamed Nur sign a defence MoU in Mogadishu. (Villa Somalia)

Earlier, the Tanzania delegation, which also comprised Minister of Tourism and Resources Dr Pindi Hazara Chana, Deputy Minister of Health Godwin Mollel, Tanzania's Chief of Defense Forces Gen. Jacob John Mkunda, and Director General of Tanzania Intelligence and Security Service (TISS) Suleiman Abubakar Mombo, met with their Somali counterparts to sign the agreed-upon framework agreements.

Speaking after signing the agreement on Tourism, which, among other things, will see the establishment of direct flights between Mogadishu and Dar es Salaam, a move aimed at boosting not only trade but also tourism, Dr Pindi said the move would open up cultural exchanges and will further boost tourism in both nations.

"I want to congratulate Somalia for being a member of the East African Community. I bring greetings to you from Tanzanian and President Samia. Today we signed bilateral agreements that will further strengthen our relations. We welcome the Somali diaspora to come and invest in Tanzania which is open for business to all Somalis. Let us work together and share experiences," Dr. Pindi said.

Tanzania's Minister of Tourism and Resources Pindi Hazara Chana (Left) and Somalia's Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Daud Aweis sign a Tourism MoU in Mogadishu. (Villa Somalia)

This is the first high-level delegation from Tanzania to visit Somalia since the civil war broke out in 1991.

Somalia and Tanzania share long historic relations and are both members of the East African Community. In 1972, Somalia, then under President Siad Bare brokered a peace deal between Tanzania and Uganda which delayed a bitter war between the two neighbouring countries for five years.