JEDDAH — The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Ali Mohamed Omar, has secured renewed political backing and commitments to broaden bilateral cooperation from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The strategic bilateral engagement with Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Waleed Elkhereiji, occurred in Jeddah on the sidelines of the emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Open-ended Executive Committee.
A Unified Islamic Bloc Response
The broader OIC summit was convened at the Foreign Minister level to develop a unified, decisive response to the ongoing crisis in the Palestinian territories and the illegal decisions enacted by the Israeli occupation.
During their sideline discussions, Minister Ali Mohamed Omar and Vice Minister Elkhereiji synchronized their respective national positions regarding this critical regional security crisis. Both diplomats stressed the absolute necessity of a coordinated Islamic bloc approach to counter violations of international law and to firmly protect the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people.
Defending Somali Sovereignty
Beyond the immediate Middle Eastern crisis, the meeting served as a crucial platform to reinforce the bilateral security and economic architecture between Mogadishu and Riyadh. Vice Minister Elkhereiji explicitly reaffirmed the Kingdom’s firm position in defending the sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
This direct statement from Riyadh provides Mogadishu with a vital layer of diplomatic protection against regional actors attempting to bypass the Federal Government, echoing the broader solidarity recently demonstrated by OIC member states.
Expanding Economic and Security Ties
The gathering also fostered enhanced collaboration across critical domestic sectors. Both parties consented to reinforce coordination frameworks between their respective institutions, building upon recently signed bilateral security and maritime agreements.
For Somalia, the results of this sideline meeting successfully solidify strategic relationships with one of its principal Gulf allies. By actively participating as a core decision-maker in high-stakes Middle Eastern geopolitical arenas, the Federal Government continues to unlock expanded economic opportunities and accelerate its broader state-building trajectory.
