German Foreign Minister in historic visit to Somalia, pledges €70m drought relief aid

German Foreign Affairs minister Sigmar Gabriel landed in Mogadishu Monday making history as the first German Foreign Minister to visit Somalia.

Following talks with Prime Minister Hassan Khaire, the German minister announced his government’s 70 million euro aid to bolster the drought response efforts.

“So far the Federal Republic (Germany) has made available 70 million euros and we are ready to at least double that amount,” the minister said in a joint press conference with PM Khaire. Gabriel called on other international donor countries to lend their hand in averting the effects of the drought.

Prime Minister Khaire hailed the talks noting Germany had been a steadfast partner to Somalia since independence. “As you may know, Germans started helping Somalia, just five days of Independence, but today because of the new change in Somalia, we talked with the German Minister to change the aid model of Germany in Somalia,” said Khaire.

The German minister said the talks also focused on preparations for the upcoming London conference which Somalia is expected to pitch for the post new deal international donor support.

Gabriel added Germany is ready to help Somalia in security, humanitarian and international cooperation sectors. “With the help of International partners, we are ready to help Somalia to become strong state that is able secure itself.”

The visit of Sigma Gabrie comes after a day after the Africom commander General Thomas D. Waldhauser met President Mohamed Farmaajo and army generals ahead of what sources say is a major offensive against the militant group Al-Shabaab.

By Ahmed Abdihadi