By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
MOGADISHU, Somalia — A high-level conference on implementing the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Free Movement Protocol opened in Mogadishu on Tuesday, as Somalia seeks to strengthen regional integration in the Horn of Africa.
The three-day meeting brings together experts and government officials responsible for migration, border management and the implementation of regional agreements.
Participants are expected to discuss practical measures to accelerate implementation of the protocol and establish a harmonised framework that facilitates the movement of people and goods across IGAD member states while safeguarding national security and respecting domestic laws.
Officials attending the conference described the gathering as a significant milestone for Somalia and the wider region.
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“We are pleased to host a conference of this nature in Somalia. It is an important forum focused on the movement of people, and it reinforces Somalia's position as a strategic hub for trade and regional connectivity,” said Abdulkadir Mahmoud Yusuf, Director of the Africa Department at Somalia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The conference is expected to conclude with recommendations aimed at easing the movement of people and goods across the IGAD region, boosting trade, investment and regional economic integration.
Hosting the conference reflects Somalia's broader efforts to deepen regional cooperation and integration.