Somalia dispatches first-ever ambassador to Eritrea

GOOBJOOG NEWS| ASMARA: Somalia has sent its first-ever ambassador to Eritrea following the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Omar Idris presented his credentials to Eritrean president Isaias Afwerki on Saturday, joining a list of 17 new ambassadors to the Red Sea nation.

Ambassador Idris now becomes the first Somali ambassador to Somalia in the history of the two nations.  

“With H.E. President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea, presenting to him my credential paper today 17/11/2023, it was an honor for me to become the first Ambassador of Somalia to Eritrea in the history of the two brotherly countries,” the new ambassador said.

Ambassador Idris formerly served as Somalia’s ambassador to Qatar.

Somalia and Eritrea broke diplomatic relations in 2008 following claims that Asmara was funding the militant group Al-Shabaab. The two nations however, resumed relations in 2018, and the UN lifted sanctions against Eritrea in the same year.