Somalia’s parliament speaker said Tuesday that the security of Somalia cannot be considered separately from the security of Djibouti, calling for closer cooperation between the two neighbours as the Horn of Africa faces growing security tensions.

Speaker Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur said the two countries shared a responsibility to protect their peace and stability. He made the remarks in an address to Djibouti’s parliamentarians during his first official visit abroad since taking office .

“Djibouti’s security is our security, and Somalia’s security is Djibouti’s security,” Nur told lawmakers. The peace and stability of our two countries are a shared responsibility in which we are equal partners.”

The speaker, also known as Jaamac, made the visit at the invitation of his Djibouti counterpart, Dileita Mohamed Dileita.

Nur described the relationship between the two countries as one that extended beyond diplomacy, pointing to their shared history, family ties and Djibouti’s longstanding involvement in Somalia’s political recovery.

‘Twin nation’

“Let those who do not know Djibouti learn about it, and let there be no miscalculation. Djibouti is Somalia, and Somalia is Djibouti,” he said.

“We are two countries, but we are twin nations, bound by brotherhood, blood and shared ancestry.”

A central part of Nur’s address focused on Djibouti’s contribution to Somalia’s state-building efforts following the collapse of the central government in 1991. He recalled how Djibouti hosted reconciliation initiatives aimed at bringing Somali factions together, ending violence and restoring national institutions.

Nur singled out the historic Arta peace conference, which paved the way for the establishment of Somalia’s Transitional National Government in 2000.

The conference marked a significant step in efforts to restore Somali state institutions and re-establish the country’s political representation internationally after years of civil conflict.

“When Somalia’s central government collapsed in 1991, Djibouti stepped forward to bring Somalis together, stop the bloodshed and rebuild our state,” Nur said.

He credited Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh with playing an important role in those efforts.

“Somalia remembers the support Djibouti extended to our country and the role President Ismail Omar Guelleh played in the restoration of the Somali state,” he said.

Longstanding friend

Nur described Guelleh as a longstanding friend and supporter of Somalia, saying the Somali people would continue to recognise Djibouti’s contribution to their country’s recovery.

He also praised Djibouti’s subsequent efforts to mediate political disagreements among Somali groups and encourage dialogue between opposing sides.

“The debt of gratitude we owe Djibouti is one that we carry with us. It is written in the memory of the Somali people, and it is our responsibility to pass that history on to future generations,” he said.

Fight against terrorism

Nur also paid tribute to Djibouti’s military contribution to Somalia’s security, particularly the Djiboutian troops serving alongside Somali forces in operations against terrorist groups.

He said Djibouti’s support had gone beyond hosting peace conferences and diplomatic engagement, extending to direct military assistance during the rebuilding of Somalia’s security institutions.

“Djibouti did not limit its support to peace conferences and diplomatic efforts. You sent your sons to stand with us in the difficult fight against terrorism and in defence of the peace and lives of the Somali people,” he said.

The speaker expressed particular appreciation for Djiboutian troops serving on the front lines in Somalia.

“The Somali people see your courage, appreciate your sacrifices and will never forget your solidarity,” Nur said, addressing Djiboutian military officers and soldiers deployed in Somalia.

He also praised Djibouti’s diplomatic support for Somalia’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity at regional and international forums.

Nur said Djibouti had maintained those positions despite the political, diplomatic and security challenges involved.

Regional tensions

Turning to developments in the Horn of Africa, Nur warned that the region was facing increasing competition, security tensions and challenges affecting the stability of neighbouring countries.

He said those circumstances required Somalia and Djibouti to strengthen consultations, coordinate their responses and maintain close cooperation.

“Our region is passing through a difficult period. Competition is intensifying, security tensions are increasing, and circumstances are emerging that affect the stability of our countries and the lives of our people,” he said.

“This moment demands wisdom, vigilance and greater unity. We need to consult one another, remain closely coordinated and work together to overcome the challenges ahead.”

Nur reiterated that Somalia regarded Djibouti’s security as directly linked to its own, describing peace and stability in both countries as a common responsibility.

His remarks highlighted the importance Mogadishu places on its relationship with Djibouti as regional governments confront security and diplomatic challenges.

Parliamentary diplomacy

The Somali speaker also outlined plans to deepen cooperation between the two countries’ parliaments. Nur said he had deliberately chosen Djibouti as the destination for his first official visit to a foreign parliament since becoming speaker of Somalia’s House of the People.

“Beginning my official parliamentary visits in Djibouti was a deliberate choice, reflecting the affection, respect and recognition of the brotherly support that binds our two countries,” he said.

“I wanted my first step to bring me to this parliament and this country, which has played such an important role in Somalia’s recovery.”

He called for closer cooperation between parliamentary committees, greater exchanges of legislative expertise and joint training opportunities for parliamentary staff.

“We want our committees to work together, our lawmakers to exchange experience, and the staff of our two parliaments to benefit from joint training and knowledge-sharing,” Nur said.

The speaker also highlighted the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening relations between the two governments and creating opportunities for cooperation that benefit their populations.

A relationship rooted in shared historyNur concluded his address by thanking Djibouti’s government, parliament and people for their hospitality and longstanding support for Somalia.

He said his visit was intended not only to strengthen institutional relations but also to renew the bonds of solidarity between the two countries.

“We have come to thank you. We have come to renew our bond of brotherhood. We have come to deliver a message from the Somali people: Somalia remembers Djibouti’s support,” he said.

The speaker expressed hope that the relationship would continue to develop through practical cooperation between the two parliaments.

For Somalia, Nur’s address placed Djibouti’s role in the country’s political reconstruction, military security and diplomatic engagement at the centre of a partnership he said must remain strong as the Horn of Africa faces new challenges.