President Mohamud Meets Somali-American Mayor to Discuss Diaspora Ties and Cooperation

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Federal Government of Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Saturday met Nadia Mohamed, the Somali-American mayor of St. Louis Park, in Mogadishu, highlighting the growing role of the Somali diaspora in strengthening international partnerships and supporting Somalia’s development.

According to the presidency, the meeting focused on the contributions of Somalis living abroad to national reconstruction, investment and public service, as well as ways of deepening long-standing relations between Somalia and the United States.

President Mohamud praised Mohamed for her achievements in local government, describing her election as a reflection of the increasing participation and influence of Somalis in public life across the world. He encouraged her to continue promoting cooperation between Somalia and the United States while supporting diaspora-led initiatives aimed at improving public services, encouraging investment and contributing to the country’s long-term development.

Mohamed thanked the president for the reception and reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening ties between the Somali diaspora and their country of origin. She also expressed support for greater collaboration in areas that could contribute to Somalia’s social and economic progress.

The mayor said she was impressed by the level of security and development she witnessed during her visit to Mogadishu, a city that has undergone significant reconstruction over the past decade despite continuing security challenges posed by the militant group Al-Shabaab.

Somalia’s large diaspora, estimated at more than two million people worldwide, remains a critical source of financial support through remittances, investments and humanitarian assistance. Diaspora professionals have also increasingly taken up leadership roles in government, business and civil society, helping to bridge international partnerships and transfer skills back to Somalia.

The meeting comes as the Somali government seeks to strengthen engagement with diaspora communities while pursuing broader efforts to attract foreign investment, improve governance and rebuild institutions after decades of conflict.

Relations between Somalia and the United States have also expanded in recent years, particularly in the areas of security cooperation, humanitarian assistance and economic development, with Washington remaining one of Mogadishu’s key international partners.

Mohamed, whose family has Somali roots, has emerged as one of the highest-profile Somali-American elected officials in the United States. Her visit to Mogadishu is expected to include engagements with government officials and members of civil society as part of efforts to promote stronger people-to-people ties between Somalia and the Somali diaspora.