Somalia Hosts Regional Summit To Advance Somali Language Agenda

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama on Thursday closed a four-day conference of the Regional Somali Language Academy (AGA), bringing together scholars and officials from across the Horn of Africa to chart the future of the Somali language.

Jama presided over the ceremony in Mogadishu, where delegates discussed efforts to standardise and promote the language across borders.

The meeting drew senior federal officials, including Education Minister Farah Abdulkadir, as well as representatives from neighbouring countries with Somali-speaking communities. Among them were the Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism of Ethiopia’s Somali Region, Salad Dhagar Yusuf, and Kenyan envoy Ali Afey.

Participants focused on strengthening linguistic research, preserving cultural heritage and enhancing institutional cooperation among AGA member states.

At the close of the summit, organisers issued a communiqué outlining a three-year strategic plan aimed at advancing language development and expanding regional collaboration.

AGA Chairman Ma’allin Said Salah and Deputy Chairman Ismail Abdi Ahmed said the academy would prioritise implementation of the resolutions adopted during the conference.

Somalia has in recent years stepped up efforts to promote the Somali language as part of broader cultural and nation-building initiatives, working with regional partners where Somali is widely spoken.