Somalia’s new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud departed on Sunday for the United Arab Emirates on his first trip abroad since his re-election last month, his media office said.
Mohamud received an invitation from the UAE’s new ruler Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and would hold talks with top Emirati government officials during his two-day visit to further strengthen diplomatic relations between Mogadishu and Abu Dhabi, Villa Somalia said.
Somalia’s new administration is trying to mend ties with the UAE, which have soured during the tenure of former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo whose government sided with Qatar in rift between Gulf Arab nations and sidelined Abu Dhabi. UAE ambassador to Somalia met with Mohamud several times before his trip on Sunday following years of diplomatic hiatus.