Congratulations to my brother, my Vice President and President of HirShabelle State of Somalia, HE Ali ‘Guudlaawe’ Hussein @GudlaweHussein for successfully completing a number of critical State Building Projects, most notably the State House and the HirShabelle Parliament started during our joint Administration.
The security dividend resulting from the fight against Al Shabaab and the opening of the Mogadishu- Jowhar road clearly paid dividends.
I encourage you to utilize the generated goodwill, and the assembled HirShabelle stakeholders, especially the traditional elders, to initiate a process of dialogue and reconciliation that will take HirShabelle State to new heights.
IGAD Executive Secretary Commends Referee Omar Artan on Historic European Assignment
IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E. @DrWorkneh, has extended his warmest congratulations to Somali Referee Omar Artan, who has been selected to officiate the highly anticipated match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria.
Highlighting the significance of this milestone, the Executive Secretary stated:
"The faith instilled in Omar by UEFA, CAF, and FIFA is proof of how far hard work, passion, and dedication can take you. Congratulations to Referee Omar of Somalia. To the youth across the IGAD region: the sky is no longer the limit. Our new horizon is a united region driven by world-class experts, talents, and leaders."
#OneRegionOneFuture
#RisingWithIGAD
‘Actions taken in the coming hours and days may have lasting consequences for Somalia’s security, unity, and future.’- US Embassy, Mogadishu.
With our sad and difficult history, How unfortunately true! Cessation of hostilities and reducing the tension urgently needed.
Name-calling and demonization of political rivals must stop. Dialogue is the only acceptable option.
The violence unfolding in Mogadishu is reckless. Somali leaders on all sides have a responsibility to preserve stability and resolve differences through peaceful means.
Actions taken in the coming hours and days may have lasting consequences for Somalia’s security, unity, and future.
The trip of President @WilliamsRuto to Northern Kenya, with its unveiling of significant infrastructure and development projects, the commitment for further investment to foster parity with the rest of Kenya, and the empathy, acknowledgment and Presidential apology for past injustices was historic.
The trip will not only foster development, but will create healing that will positively impact not only Northern Kenya, but also with brotherly communities across the border in Somalia and Ethiopia.
But the most impactful announcement for the long term future of the youth, and one which, in my opinion, did not receive significant coverage, is the decision to incorporate Quranic schools- so called madrassas- into the formal education system of Kenya.
This move will hopefully bring resources, training, certification and oversight for the only education that many Muslim children receive.
It will help with the fight against radicalization and potential terrorism, by ensuring, through certification and oversight, that radicalized teachers do not infect young minds.
And it will facilitate the seamless graduation of students from Quranic schools into primary classes, specially for girls and children from poor households, increasing formal education significantly.
A revolutionary decision that should be adopted by both Muslim majority and minority countries! 👍🏽👏👏🙏🏾
@SingoeiAKorir@MusaliaMudavadi@EduMinKenya@WajirKE@AhmedJiir
Disease outbreaks do not respect borders, and neither should our response.
This morning, together with IGAD Health Ministers, I convened the IGAD Extraordinary Health Ministerial Meeting on the current Ebola outbreak. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to collective preparedness and response.
With @pandemicfund ,@WHO and @ifrc, we pledged USD 1 million to each Member States.
I urge the public to remain vigilant, follow health guidance, and report suspected cases promptly.
Glad to welcome Hon. Kebede Abera, Deputy Head of Mission of the Federal Democratic Republic of #Ethiopia to IGAD Headquarters in #Djibouti.
I congratulated him on the orderly and peaceful conduct of the elections in Ethiopia, to which IGAD has sent an observation mission, led by HE Dr. Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe @SpeciosaW.
Also discussed peace and security in the region, impact on irregular migration in the Djibouti-Red Sea corridor, and preparations for the next IGAD Committee of Ambassadors’ Meeting in Djibouti.
@SMHaderaAbera@BerhanuTsegaye@ETEmbassyJIB
On behalf of the Government and the Republic of Kenya, I extend my sincere apology to the people of Northern Kenya for the hardships and exclusion you have endured over the years.
Your resilience in the face of these challenges is a testament to the strength and patriotism of this region.
Today, however, we are charting a different course. Our administration is making significant progress in restoring equity, expanding opportunity, and ensuring that Northern Kenya takes its rightful place in our nation's transformation journey.
Kenya’s 63rd anniversary of self governance is occassion to reflect on attainments made in our journey towards fuller and larger freedoms and a call to rededicate ourselves to the founding ideals of the Republic. God bless Kenya.
The people of Ethiopia are an extraordinary and remarkable people. Other than the Creator, who can truly know and assess our people in their entirety? Through this year’s election, Ethiopians have once again shown the world that they are a people with a rich culture, deep patriotism, and the ability to safeguard the common good.
On this historic day:
* Citizens who were not intimidated by the cold and darkness of the night,
* Who were not deterred by the midday sun or sudden rain,
* Whom weddings, funerals, childbirth, and other social obligations did not prevent from participating,
* Who were not wearied by long lines,
* Whose physical disabilities did not stop them from casting their vote,
* Those whose illness and old age did not prevent from witnessing the hope of their country,
* Who were not exhausted by carrying their infant children; the future inheritors of the nation,
* And above all, whom the shouting and threats of enemies could not intimidate or stop;
The perseverance you demonstrated amid many challenges and hardships, against all odds, was a contribution made for democracy and for the very survival of the nation. For this, you deserve heartfelt gratitude.
It is a privilege to serve such a people. Therefore, may those who have been elected honor the trust placed in them and serve this people, with integrity and sincerity! A people who have paid a great price for the democratic system. May you be worthy of that responsibility.
IGAD Election Observation Mission to Ethiopia 2026
📍 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 28 May 2026
Ahead of Ethiopia’s 7th General Election on 1 June 2026, H.E. Dr. Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe, (@SpeciosaW) Head of the #IGAD Election Observation Mission, met with EHRC Chief Commissioner Hon. Berhanu Adelo.
The discussions focused on the human rights context of the elections, monitoring efforts, and mechanisms for addressing electoral complaints and incidents. The Mission also toured the EHRC Situation Room to learn about its election monitoring and rapid response systems.
The meeting is part of IGAD’s broader stakeholder consultations to support peaceful, credible, transparent, and inclusive elections in Ethiopia.
Read more: https://t.co/F5AjeM68NT
#IGADEOM #EthiopiaDecides2026
During this Eid period of sacrifice, patience, forgiveness and community, I am alarmed by the increased political polarization in Somalia, the heated rhetoric and the increased references to violence as a means of resolving political differences.
I appeal to the leadership of the Federal Government, the Federal Member States, the Political Opposition and the Civil Society to tone down the rhetoric, rediscover the noble tradition of hashing out differences under a shade tree, and show empathy to the millions of fellow citizens suffering under the combined effect of the drought, the Al Shabaab and Da’esh and the livelihood challenges resulting from the difficult economic situation.
The international community, particularly IGAD, the African Union and the United Nations, and friendly and brotherly nations in the Region and around the globe stand ready to assist this process, in solidarity with the Somali people..