Abdi Hashi Abdullahi spoke at a plenary session of the Federation Council.
Abdi Hashi Abdullahi, Speaker of the Senate of the Federal Parliament of the Federal Republic of Somalia, spoke at the 591st plenary session of the Federation Council.
According to Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko, Abdi Hashi Abdullahi is an experienced parliamentarian with more than 40 years of experience behind him, “who played and continues to play one of the key roles in the formation and development of Somalia’s state system through the trials of the civil conflict in that African country. He is known for his commitment to the principles of parliamentary democracy, dialogue and national unity of Somalia.”
Abdi Hashi Abdullahi stressed in his remarks that the Somali delegation’s visit to Moscow confirmed strong historical ties between the two countries. “I am delighted to have the opportunity to strengthen long-term relations. Our partnership has deep historical roots, dating back to 1964 when diplomatic relations were established. From the earliest days of our independence, the Soviet Union was instrumental in Somalia’s development, especially in defence and education,” he recalled.
He also mentioned the vital humanitarian assistance the USSR provided to Somalia during the famine in 1974−1975. “The Soviet Union showed generosity and solidarity that will forever remain in the memory of the Somali people. In addition to emergency assistance, the USSR contributed to the implementation of long-term decisions by creating jobs in key sectors such as fishing, agriculture, and livestock.”
Abdi Hashi Abdullahi noted that today, Somalia seeks to revive and strengthen its historical ties with Russia. “We acknowledge Russia’s increasing global influence and its dedication to fostering partnerships grounded in mutual respect and shared prosperity. There is significant potential for renewed cooperation between our nations, particularly in trade and education.”
Abdi Hashi Abdullahi underscored Somalia’s commitment to deepening interparliamentary cooperation. “We recognise the value of studying Russia’s extensive experience in federalism and parliamentary affairs. We are committed to building a strong partnership − one that will support Somalia’s democratic development and public administration reforms.”
The Senate’s Speaker underscored the relevance of Russia’s decision to write off a significant part of Somalia’s debt. “This decision goes far beyond debt relief – it’s a powerful gesture of solidarity and friendship between our nations. We see tremendous potential to build a partnership that benefits both countries,” he concluded.