Special Envoy of Finland for Peace Mediation to the Horn of Africa Suldaan Said Ahmed had discussions with officials ranging heads of states, ministers to regional leaders during his visit in the region.
The discussions were centered regional peace and stability; Finland’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s national dialogue process, Somalia’s peace and stability initiatives, stakeholder participation & inclusivity for peace, stability for all, African Union’s peace efforts in Sudan and Djibouti’s role on regional peace.
Somalia:
Suldaan Said Ahmed, Finland Foreign Minister’s Special Envoy on Peace Mediation in the Horn of Africa met Somalia president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The envoy also met with the Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation of the Federal Government of Somalia, H.E Ali Yusuf Ali Hosh and discussed reconciliation and peace mediation with special focus on the role of youth.
Special envoy also met with Somalia foreign minister Ambassador Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and discussed with him the strengthening of bilateral relations between Somalia and Finland.
Separately, Suldaan Said Ahmed, Finland Foreign Minister’s Special Envoy on Peace Mediation in the Horn of Africa met with former Somalia president H.E. Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. Their discussions focused current national issues, emphasizing stakeholder participation & inclusivity for peace, stability, & consensus on constitutional reforms. President Sharif appreciated Finland’s support for Somalia.
Envoy Suldaan Said Ahmed also with met President of South West state of Somalia, Abdiaziz Hassan. Both discussed situation in the region and the country especially reconciliation and peace mediation.
In Somalia, Mr. Suldaan met with EU diplomats namely EU ambassador to Somalia Karen Johansson. The Envoy and diplomats shared views and information on the challenges and developments in Somalia.
Ethiopia:
Finland Foreign Minister’s Special Envoy on Peace Mediation in the Horn of Africa, Suldaan Said Ahmed met Ethiop’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Mesganu Arga and assured Finland’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia’s national dialogue process, among other issues.
Ambassador Mesganu highlighted Ethiopia’s commitment to continue a positive regional role for regional peace and stability. The State Minister assured that the government of Ethiopia is committed to fully implementing the Pretoria peace agreement.
In Ethiopia, Envoy Suldaan Said Ahmed met with civil society actors and had in-depth discussions on the societal situation in the country. Together with Finnish ambassador to Ethiopia Sinikka Antila, Suldaan had also participated EU- Day celebrations with EU-and other diplomats in Ethiopia.
African Union – Sudan:
Suldaan Said Ahmed, Finland Foreign Minister’s Special Envoy on Peace Mediation in the Horn of Africa met with Special Representative of the African Union to Sudan Ambassador Mohamed Belaiche. Envoy Suldaan Said Ahmed appreciate and support the African Union’s peace efforts in Sudan. The suffering of the Sudanese must end, and we must silence the guns.
“Our official working visits in the region coincide with a time when big conflicts predominate, and we expect to return to the region shortly, throughout this year.” Special envoy commented on his latest journey to the Horn of Africa.
Intergovernmental Authority on Development – IGAD:
Suldaan Said Ahmed, Finland Foreign Minister’s Special Envoy on Peace Mediation in the Horn of Africa presented his appointment documents to Intergovernmental Authority on Development IGAD. IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary, H.E. Mohamed Abdi Ware, on behalf of the the Executive Secretary receives credentials from Finland’s Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa.
“Honored to welcome to IGAD Secretariat, HE Suldaan Said Ahmed, Finland Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa. On behalf of the Executive Secretary Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, I recieved the nomination letter of the Special Envoy.” H.E. Mohamed Abdi Ware said on X.
Accompanied by Excellency Lari Peltonen, Finland’s Deputy Head of Mission, Addis Ababa and Minttu Lindahl, Finland’s Honorary Consul to Djibouti.
“We discussed the mediation challenges in our Region, and look forward to incorporating Finland’s considerable expertise in Mediation to resolve some of our Regional challenges.” Mr. Ware added.
Djibouti:
Finland Foreign Minister’s Special Envoy on Peace Mediation in the Horn of Africa Suldaan Said Ahmed was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. Both leaders discussed the political situation in the region and Djibouti constructive role in peace in the region.
In Djibouti, The envoy had side meeting with EU diplomats during his stay and discussed with them about the current situation in the region particularly peace and mediation engagements.
Suldaan Said Ahmed served as a special representative of peace mediation in the Horn of Africa region from 2022 to 2023, initially appointed by former foreign minister Pekka Haavisto and subsequently current foreign minister Elina Valtonen.
Suldaan Said Ahmed is a young and dedicated diplomat equipped with Finland’s highly respected peace and mediation expertise and has in many aspects potentiality to find solutions through peace mediation processes and reconciliation to the political and armed conflicts in the region.
Peace mediation is one of the priorities of Finland’s foreign and security policy, according to Finland’s ministry for foreign affairs.
SSMV
