President Mohamud, UK Duchess Deepen Women’s Rights and Security Partnership

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh concluded high-level talks in Mogadishu on Tuesday with a renewed commitment to strengthen cooperation on women’s rights, security sector reform and community stabilization.

Sources said the meeting resulted in an agreement to deepen implementation of Somalia’s Women, Peace and Security National Action Plan, with expanded coordination between Somali institutions and UK-supported programmes.

The partnership is expected to bolster protection services for survivors of gender-based violence and increase women’s participation in peacebuilding and governance structures.

The discussions also reinforced the UK–Somalia security relationship, linking counter-extremism efforts with social resilience initiatives. Both sides emphasized that empowering women is central to weakening militant recruitment and strengthening post-conflict recovery in areas recently liberated from insurgent control.

The visit highlighted continued British support for health and protection programmes that have reached nearly 130,000 women and girls, as well as assistance aimed at improving institutional service delivery.

Diplomatic sources said the outcome of the talks signals sustained international backing for Mogadishu’s reform agenda, at a time when Somalia is navigating security transitions and political negotiations over its electoral future.

The meeting is expected to translate into closer technical cooperation and sustained funding alignment between London and Mogadishu in the months ahead.