Federal Government Engages Sanaag and Bari Communities in Push for Regional Development

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: A high-level meeting between Somalia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry and key community figures from the Sanaag and Bari regions has opened a new chapter in the Federal Government’s effort to strengthen national cohesion and grassroots-driven development.

Minister Mohamud Ahmed Aden Geesood hosted the consultative dialogue in Mogadishu, where he met with respected elders, intellectuals, and political figures to discuss the future of the two regions, long marked by underdevelopment, political marginalization, and security concerns.

The talks focused on local development priorities, the path toward greater political inclusion, and collaborative solutions to social and economic challenges. Participants welcomed the government’s military and institutional gains against al-Shabaab, but stressed the need for tangible investments and inclusive governance in the northeast.

“The people of Sanaag and Bari have waited too long to be heard. This government is not only listening, it is acting,” said Minister Geesood. “Today’s meeting reflects our commitment to building a Somalia where all voices count.”

The engagement was widely seen as a step toward healing regional rifts and aligning national policy with community-driven goals. It also signaled growing trust between the Federal Government and historically estranged regions.

Notable figures in attendance included former Puntland Parliament Speaker Abdirashid Yusuf Jibril and Senator Zeynab Ismail Timpie, underscoring the political weight behind the discussions.

Community leaders described the session as “a rare opportunity” to bring local concerns directly to the federal table and urged continued engagement to turn dialogue into action.

With Somalia at a critical juncture in its state-building journey, the Federal Government is under increasing pressure to deliver inclusive development and durable peace. The Sanaag-Bari consultations mark what some see as a promising model for federal-regional cooperation going forward.