Monday April 8, 2024
A joint statement was issued today at the conclusion of the visit of the Federal Republic of Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, reading as follows:
At the invitation of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, and based on the distinguished relations between the two countries and their brotherly peoples, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud came on an official visit to the Kingdom on April 6, 2024.
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received the president at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah, where they reviewed bilateral relations and ways to develop them, and exchanged views on current regional and international developments.
The two sides stressed the need to continue joint work in the economic, trade and investment fields, to develop and diversify the volume of trade, and to intensify visits by officials and private sector representatives from both countries. Remarkably, the volume of trade between the two countries witnessed a 105% year-on-year growth from 2021 to 2022.
Recognizing the opportunities presented by Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, the two parties agreed on the need to boost investment in the agricultural, livestock, fisheries, transportation, logistics services, and ports.
They welcomed the results of the Saudi-Somali round table, which was held on the sidelines of the Saudi-African summit, attended by the Somali president.
The two sides also stressed the importance of maintaining stability in global energy markets.
Somalia commended the Kingdom's role in maintaining a balanced global oil market, which benefits both producer and consumer nations, and fosters sustainable economic growth.
Discussions on climate change highlighted the shared commitment to comply with the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. The two parties emphasized the need to produce and implement climate action plans that prioritize reduction of emissions.
The Somali side expressed its appreciation for the Kingdom's pioneering Saudi Green Initiative and Middle East Green Initiative, and pledged its support for Saudi Arabia's endeavors to combat climate change.
The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation across a broad spectrum of areas, such as: electricity, renewable energy, and energy efficiency; supplying petroleum derivatives, petrochemicals agricultural nutrients, and examining opportunities for innovative uses of hydrocarbons; agriculture and food security, and private sector investment and trade partnerships in the field of agricultural and food industries; communications, technology, digital economy, innovation, and space; judiciary and justice; air transport, ports, logistics and civil aviation; culture; sports; social development; education; media; geological survey and mining.
The two sides discussed increasing military and security cooperation to achieve common goals. They agreed to strengthen collaboration in combating all forms of crime, including smuggling, terrorism and financing terrorism. They committed to sharing information to neutralize threats from terrorism and extremism, and to promote moderation and tolerance.
Furthermore, the two parties affirmed their unwavering resolve to heighten the level of coordination and cooperation in combating cross-border crimes in all their manifestations. Such commitment entails collaborating to prosecute perpetrators, recover proceeds accrued through illicit activities, and leverage the expertise and resources of the Global Operation Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities (GlobE Network). Moreover, the exchange of experience and specialized training will be pursued, ultimately contributing to the strengthening of the security and stability of the two brotherly nations.
The Kingdom welcomed the reforms achieved by Somalia under the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and the restoration of security and stability in many Somali regions. Saudi Arabia praised the progress achieved by Somali forces against terrorist organizations, and expressed the need for the international community to support Somali efforts to eliminate terrorism.
The Kingdom also welcomed the UN Security Council's decision to lift the arms embargo on Somalia, which opens the way for building Somali security forces who can thus assume security responsibilities after the withdrawal of African Union forces.
The Kingdom welcomed the international creditors’ decision to approve debt forgiveness for Somalia, due to the success of Somalia’s efforts to implement economic reforms to achieve sustainable development, gaining credibility for its financial institutions.
Regarding the memorandum of understanding that Ethiopia signed with the Somali region (Somaliland), the Kingdom voiced its great concern for the unity of the Federal Republic of Somalia and its sovereignty over its entire territory. The two sides affirmed their adherence to the Arab League decision, dated January 17, 2024, which affirmed support for the security, stability, unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Somalia.
The two sides also stressed the need to adhere to the principles of good neighborliness, behave wisely to spare the region the risk of tension and conflicts, and do the utmost to preserve the security and stability of the region, and enhance cooperation and integration among the countries of the region.
Regarding regional issues, the two sides discussed developments in Palestine, and expressed deep concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza Strip and the brutal war the strip has been witnessing, and about the death of tens of thousands of unarmed civilians killed by deliberate attacks by the Israeli occupation forces.
They stressed the need to stop military operations in the Palestinian territories, protect civilians and enable international humanitarian organizations to carry out their task of providing humanitarian aid. They also stressed that the international community must play a role in putting an end to Israeli violations.
The two sides welcomed the UN Security Council resolution regarding a ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan, and stressed the need to intensify efforts to reach a comprehensive and just settlement to the Palestinian issue in accordance with the principle of the two-state solution, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the relevant international resolutions, in a way that guarantees the Palestinian people their right to establish an independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
In regard to Yemen, the two sides stressed the importance of lending full support to international and regional efforts to reach a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis.
The Somali side praised the Kingdom’s efforts and its many initiatives aimed at encouraging dialogue and reconciliation between the Yemeni parties, as well as its role in providing and facilitating the arrival of humanitarian aid to all regions of Yemen.
The two sides said that it is important to maintain the security and stability of the Red Sea region, stressing that freedom of navigation is an international requirement right that works in the interest of the entire world, and called for restraint and to avoid escalation in the context of the events taking place in the region.
Regarding the Sudanese issue, the two sides stressed that the two parties to the conflict should end the conflict between them. They welcomed the outcome of the Jeddah talks (2) on November 7, 2023, which was a commitment to take steps to facilitate the increase in humanitarian aid and implement confidence-building measures in preparation for reaching a permanent cessation of hostilities, and to alleviate the suffering of the Sudanese people.
At the conclusion of the visit, the Somali president thanked and expressed appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for the good reception and hospitality shown to him and his accompanying delegation.
HRH the Crown Prince expressed his best wishes to the Somali president, and wished further progress and prosperity to the brotherly Somali people.