Saturday, May 04, 2013

Djibouti President Guelleh to Attend London Conference on Somalia

Djibouti President to Attend Somalia and UK-Djibouti Conference in London

SATURDAY, 04 MAY 2013 10:27 NEWBUSINESSETHIOPIA.COM

A high level Djibouti Government delegation led by President Ismail Omar Guelleh is set to visit London and attend the Somalia Conference and the UK-Djibouti Trade & Investment both convened in partnership with the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The delegates visit from May 7-8, 2013, includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahamoud Youssouf and Finance and Economy Minister Ilyas Dawaleh.

As one of Somalia’s neighbours Djibouti has played an active role in securing the growing stability in the country and the greater region. Djibouti currently has roughly 1,000 troops stationed in Somalia as part of the broader African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).

Djibouti was the third country to join AMISOM in December 2011. In Somalia, Djiboutian troops have helped in both combat situations and in mediation, reconstruction and administration.

Commenting on Somalia Conference to be held on May 7, 2013, President Guelleh stated, “We have reached a critical time for the people of Somalia and the Horn of Africa. There have been encouraging successes through the African Union Mission in Somalia but the battle is far from over. My hopes for the conference are twofold: to build on progress made through the previous conferences in London and Istanbul and to renew the international community’s commitment to achieving a secure and prosperous Horn of Africa.”

On May 8, 2013 the Government of Djibouti and the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office will host the inaugural UK-Djibouti Trade & Investment Forum, aimed at promoting the growing investment opportunities in Djibouti. Sessions led by both British and Djiboutian officials will focus on key growth sectors like energy, natural resources, logistics/infrastructure, and telecommunications.

Held in London’s Drapers Hall, the forum will feature speakers from the Government of Djibouti including, Ambassador Rachad Farah, Djibouti Ambassador to the UK, Said Omar Moussa, Honorary Chairman, The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Business Council, Chairman, Djibouti Chamber of Commerce and Ahmed Osman, Governor, Central Bank of Djibouti.

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