MOGADISHU, Somalia — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with Britain’s Minister of State for International Development and Africa, Kirsty McNeill, at Villa Somalia to discuss bilateral cooperation and areas of shared interest, according to the Somali presidency.
The meeting focused on strengthening the relationship between the two countries and identifying opportunities for closer cooperation on priorities affecting Somalia’s development and stability.
The discussions come as Somalia seeks to deepen partnerships with international allies while advancing efforts to strengthen state institutions, improve security and expand economic opportunities.
Somali officials described Britain as a key partner in the country’s development, reflecting the long-standing role of the United Kingdom in supporting Somalia through humanitarian, development and governance programmes.
The talks also provided an opportunity to discuss areas where the two governments could expand cooperation as Somalia works toward greater institutional and economic self-reliance.
President Hassan Sheikh has made stronger international partnerships a central element of his administration’s efforts to support Somalia’s political and economic recovery.
The Somali government said it highly values Britain’s partnership and expressed its commitment to further strengthening bilateral relations.
For London, engagement with Mogadishu comes as Somalia faces a combination of security, humanitarian and development challenges, including the threat posed by Al-Shabaab, climate-related crises and pressure to expand basic services and employment opportunities.
The meeting underscored the continuing importance of the Somalia-UK relationship as both governments seek to translate their shared priorities into longer-term cooperation.
