Mogadishu (Raxanreeb) – Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, Hamza Abdi Barre, has received in his office a delegation from the Government of the United Kingdom led by Ms. Eleanor Sanders, the UK Ambassador for Human Rights and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva.

The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between Somalia and the United Kingdom in the areas of human rights, institutional support and state-building.

Prime Minister Hamza congratulated the United Kingdom on its recent election to the United Nations Human Rights Council. He also expressed Somalia’s appreciation for the key role played by the UK in achieving major milestones for the country, including the lifting of the arms embargo, progress on debt relief, and Somalia’s successful return to a seat on the UN Human Rights Council.

The Prime Minister briefed the delegation on recent developments in Somalia’s human rights framework, noting that the country has now established an Independent Human Rights Commission, which was recently endorsed by both Houses of Parliament. He underlined that all members of the Commission were selected on the basis of merit, competence and experience.

For her part, Ms. Eleanor Sanders thanked the Prime Minister for the warm reception and commended the progress made by Somalia in promoting and protecting human rights. She reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s commitment to continued partnership with Somalia.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Prime Minister Hamza, accompanied by the Minister of Family Affairs and Human Rights, Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi, presented Ms. Sanders with a certificate of appreciation recognising the United Kingdom’s support to Somalia and its role in advancing the country’s human rights agenda.