Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has congratulated Sagal Abdi-Wali on her election to the UK Parliament, praising her achievement as a milestone for the Somali diaspora and urging her to strengthen ties between Somalia and Britain.
MOGADISHU (Somali Report) — Somalia's prime minister has congratulated Sagal Abdi-Wali on her election to the British parliament, describing her victory as a historic achievement for the Somali diaspora.
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre spoke to Abdi-Wali by telephone to congratulate her on her electoral success and wish her well in her new role, according to a statement from the Somali government.
Barre said the Somali government, its leaders and the public were pleased with her achievement, which he described as a reflection of the talent, determination and hard work of Somalis living abroad.
"I congratulated Sagal on her great electoral victory and prayed that God would make it easier for her to carry out the heavy responsibility she has taken on," the prime minister said, according to the statement.
He said her election offered an encouraging example to members of the Somali diaspora who have worked to achieve prominent positions in politics and other fields in their adopted countries.
The prime minister also urged Abdi-Wali to fulfil her parliamentary responsibilities with integrity and to serve the people who had elected her to represent them in the United Kingdom's legislature.
Barre encouraged her to contribute to efforts to strengthen cooperation between Somalia and Britain, which maintain longstanding diplomatic and development ties.
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Abdi-Wali's election has drawn attention in Somalia, where members of the diaspora are increasingly recognised for their contributions to public life, business and politics in countries across Europe and beyond.
The Somali government regularly highlights the achievements of citizens and people of Somali origin who attain senior positions abroad, presenting them as examples of the diaspora's growing role in international affairs.
The prime minister's message also underscored Mogadishu's interest in maintaining close relations with Britain, a key international partner that has supported Somalia's security, humanitarian response and state-building efforts.
Britain has played a role in international initiatives aimed at strengthening Somalia's federal institutions and security forces as the country continues to confront the Al-Shabaab insurgency and other political and economic challenges.
Somalia has also sought to deepen its engagement with communities abroad, which contribute to the country's economy through remittances and play a role in development, investment and advocacy.
Barre's call focused on congratulating Abdi-Wali, encouraging her to serve her constituents effectively and expressing hope that her new position could help promote stronger links between the two countries.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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