SOMALIA has reopened its embassy in Tanzania, signaling a renewed commitment to regional diplomacy and stronger bilateral and continental ties.

The ceremony, held in Dar es Salaam on Monday, went together with celebrations to mark 65 years of independence, involving top government officials, dignitaries, and members of the Somali diaspora.

“This is a momentous and historical occasion,” declared  Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo. “It reflects not only the resilience of the Somali people but their clear intention to re-engage with East Africa and the world.”

The Minister said the move highlights Mogadishu’s growing role in East Africa, following its historic admission into the East African Community (EAC) in 2023.

Minister Kombo praised Somalia’s progress and offered a glimpse into future cooperation, including aviation ties. “Don't be surprised if Air Tanzania lands in Mogadishu soon—or if Air Somalia flies into Dar es Salaam,” he said, noting ongoing talks on direct cargo and passenger routes.

Somalia has informally designated Tanzania as a key transit hub for connecting with Southern Africa. 

The high-powered Somali delegation—comprising five ministers and six members of parliament—was led by Somalia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdisalan Abdi Ali, who described the reopening as “a testament to our renewed engagement with Africa and the world.”

“This embassy is not just a building. It is a symbol of partnership, history, and hope,” he said, thanking Tanzania for its long-standing support and regional leadership.

Minister Abdisalan underscored Somalia’s shifting political landscape, calling this era “the Third Republic,” marked by democratic reform, reconciliation, and institutional rebuilding. Somalia plans to hold its first national one-person, one-vote election in decades—a move he described as “a historic step forward.”

The event highlighted decades of historical ties between the two countries, dating back to the 1960s with visits between Somalia’s first president Aden Abdullah Osman and Tanzania’s founding father Julius Nyerere.

“These are not new relations; they are time-tested and built on trust,” Minister Kombo noted.

To formalize and deepen cooperation, the two countries have signed several memoranda of understanding in recent months covering defense, education, immigration, and agriculture.

Somalia also proposed the formation of a Joint Ministerial Commission for Cooperation and a Somalia–Tanzania Parliamentary Friendship Committee to drive forward institutional partnerships and people-to-people exchanges. 

The Somali diaspora in Tanzania was also recognized as a vital link between the two nations. “Their contributions reflect the natural integration of our region,” said Minister Abdisalan.

The event concluded with traditional Somali music and cuisine, affirming not just a diplomatic move—but a rekindling of cultural and political unity.

“This is about building a new future, together,” Minister Abdisalan said. “Regional cooperation is not optional—it is essential.”