The Garissa County Assembly today hosted the Vice President of the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia, H.E. Ibrahim Osman, during a courtesy visit aimed at deepening cross-border cooperation and strengthening institutional linkages.
The Vice President was accompanied by Dr. Husein Kassim, Chief of Cabinet for the Somali Regional Government; Omar-Farouk Warfa, Head of the Planning and Economic Development Bureau; and a delegation of business leaders. The delegation was received by the Speaker of the Garissa County Assembly, Hon. Abdi Idle Gure, alongside Governor H.E. Nathif Jama.
Addressing the delegation, Speaker Hon. Abdi Idle Gure underscored the deep-rooted ties between the two regions.
βGarissa County and the Somali Regional State share enduring ties and bonds that transcend boundaries. Our shared ethnic heritage and history form a strong foundation for structured cooperation under devolved governance,β the Speaker said.
He stressed the importance of sustained institutional engagement in driving progress.
βMeaningful engagement between our institutions is key to achieving tangible progress. Through continuous dialogue, development anchored on shared values, and institutional collaboration, we can deliver lasting impact for our people,β he added.
Governor H.E. Nathif Jama highlighted his role in strengthening the relationship between Dawlad Deegaanka Soomaalida (DDS) and Garissa County.
βI take pride in serving as a bridge between DDS and Garissa County. We are committed to deepening this relationship through practical cooperation and shared initiatives,β the Governor stated.
He further announced that Garissa County would dispatch a delegation to Jigjiga for a benchmarking visit to exchange best practices and explore priority areas of collaboration.
In his remarks, Vice President H.E. Ibrahim Osman thanked the County Assembly and the County Executive for the warm reception.
βWe appreciate the hospitality extended to us. Our region is ready to consider strategic partnerships in governance, peace building, education, and agriculture for the mutual benefit of our communities,β the Vice President said.
The visit follows a previous visit by President Mustafa Omar to Garissa, as well as subsequent high-level delegations from the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia, all aimed at strengthening cross-border cooperation in traditional conflict resolution and community governance.
The continued engagements mark a significant step toward enhanced cross-border cooperation and reinforce the shared commitment of both regions to leverage their common heritage for sustainable development and regional stability.
