The UK pledges to invest £100 million in development initiatives in Somalia

The UK pledges to invest £100 million in development initiatives in Somalia

The United Kingdom pledged to invest £100 million in development initiatives in Somalia, at a meeting between President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in London. During the meeting, President Hassan Sheikh indicated Somalia's interest in focusing on transforming emergency aid initiatives into long-term development projects.

The President spoke about the challenges surrounding the lives of the Somali people and the efforts made by his government to deal with the famine that began in 2022 and the current crisis that the country is witnessing due to floods caused by rains that have displaced thousands of families.

President Hassan Sheikh, who delivered a speech at the International Conference on the Prevention of Food Shortages and Disasters, said Somalia could be at the heart of international efforts to eradicate hunger, ensure energy and sustainable agriculture.

The President explained that the Somali army liberated more than 70 towns and regions rich in agricultural crops, whose production was paralyzed by the terrorist Al-Shabaab movement, after depriving farmers of the freedom to carry out their work.

For his part, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the United Kingdom will begin funding development projects, economic infrastructure, and agricultural development in Somalia.