By Goth Mohamed Goth
HARGEISA, Somaliland – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation officially inaugurated the 7th Diaspora Convention in Hargeisa on Monday, launching a five-day national forum dedicated to strengthening ties between the government and its citizens abroad, and exploring pathways for increased diaspora-driven development.
The opening ceremony drew a high-level delegation, including President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (Cirro), Speaker of the House Yasin Haji Mahmoud, Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Aden, Hargeisa Mayor Abdurisaq Mohamed Farah, Waddani Party Chairman Hirsi Ali Haji, senior cabinet officials, the Taiwanese Ambassador, business executives, and a large contingent of diaspora representatives from across the globe.
In his opening remarks, Ministry Director General Mohamed Abdirahman Hassan emphasized that this year’s convention—hosted across multiple cities including Hargeisa, Borama, and Burao—marks a departure from previous formats. He stressed that diaspora affairs transcend the purview of a single ministry, stating: “This is a national priority requiring seamless coordination across all government institutions, at both federal and municipal levels.” He further noted the diaspora’s enduring legacy, describing their contribution to the liberation struggle, post-conflict stabilization, and the establishment of Somaliland’s democratic governance as “historic and unparalleled.”
President: “You Are Not Guests”
Addressing the assembly, President Cirro reaffirmed the diaspora’s indispensable role in every milestone achieved by the nation. Expressing his personal pride in attending the convention, he declared: “To our diaspora community here today, I say—you are not guests. You are integral pillars of our nation.”
The President recalled the darkest periods of Somaliland’s history, asserting that the diaspora remained the sole lifeline for their compatriots. “From the resistance struggle to the reconstruction era, you were the primary source of unwavering support. Your solidarity, whether in remittances or advocacy, sustained our people through displacement and hardship,” he stated. He concluded by urging attendees to intensify their investments in the homeland and take an active role in accelerating economic growth.
Minister Highlights Diaspora’s Strategic Value
Foreign Minister Abdirahman Dahir Aden echoed the President’s sentiments, commending the ministry’s staff for their organizational efforts and thanking the President for his robust backing of the initiative. He underscored the diaspora’s dual role as key drivers of domestic infrastructure development and as frontline advocates for Somaliland’s international recognition. “Your contributions extend beyond remittances; you are the vanguard of our quest for statehood and global visibility,” the Minister noted.
Day One Proceedings: Focus on Strategic Engagement
The first day’s program featured two substantive panel discussions designed to translate diaspora potential into tangible national outcomes:
- Strategic Impact: Examining how to transform ad-hoc diaspora support into a structured, sustainable framework for long-term development.
- Investment Migration: Exploring mechanisms to shift diaspora remittances from household consumption toward productive, large-scale investments within Somaliland.
These interactive sessions aimed to equip participants with practical strategies to channel their international expertise, capital, and networks toward domestic socio-economic transformation.
The convention’s opening day concluded on a productive note, with proceedings scheduled to resume tomorrow across the designated host cities.
