Somalia, 3 January 2026 Somalia's President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has cited peace, infrastructure development and culture-based tourism as foundations of sustainable growth in the Horn of Africa.
President Mohamud made the remarks today during the inauguration of tourism projects in Ethiopia’s Somali Regional State.
He stressed that peace remains the cornerstone of development, warning that without it, neither knowledge nor investment can bear fruit.
He commended the Ethiopian government and the Somali Regional State leadership for their efforts to strengthen peace, calling for similar development initiatives in other Somali-inhabited areas for the benefit of the wider Horn of Africa.
The President noted that when he visited the region nearly 10 years ago, he did not witness change on the scale seen today, citing peace and infrastructure development as the main reasons behind the transformation
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He commended Somali Regional State administration, led by Mustafa Omer, saying the ongoing transformation and reconstruction benefit communities across the Horn of Africa.
He described the projects as showcasing knowledge, ideas, and thoughtful planning that bring together tourism, culture, and the everyday life of local communities.
“This is not just about livestock and buildings; it is an idea and a vision that reflects the way of life of the people and their environment,” President Mohamud said, noting that the projects prominently feature Somali huts, camel herding traditions, milk production, and nomadic life—transformed into opportunities for tourism and economic growth.
Speaking on trade and investment, the President expressed satisfaction with the active participation of Somali youth from the region and diaspora.
“Economics has no clan. Wherever Somalis live, when it comes to business and development, they work together and live together,” he said.
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