By Hassan Adan

MOGADISHU– Somalia has welcomed a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, urging all parties to use the truce as a foundation for lasting peace and stability.

In a press statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Somalia said the agreement represents “an important and timely step toward de-escalation, confidence-building, and the preservation of regional and international peace and security.”

The ceasefire follows a period of heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran that raised concerns over regional security, maritime safety and the stability of global trade routes, particularly in the Gulf and Red Sea corridors.

#Somalia welcomes the ceasefire between United States and Iran as a timely step toward de-escalation, urging all parties to use the truce as a foundation for lasting peace, stability, and secure global trade routes especially across the #RedSea and Strait of #Hormuz while calling… pic.twitter.com/P3FeKG8nma

— Frontier Online (@FrontierOnlineK) April 8, 2026

According to diplomatic officials, the agreement was facilitated through coordinated mediation efforts led by Pakistan, with support from Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, reflecting a broad regional push to contain escalation and reopen channels for dialogue.

Initial understandings under the ceasefire include a mutual halt to hostilities, commitments to avoid further military escalation, and the opening of space for diplomatic negotiations.

Officials familiar with the discussions said the agreement also places emphasis on safeguarding maritime navigation, particularly through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global energy supplies.

“Somalia commends the United States for its leadership in advancing this move toward restraint and dialogue, and acknowledges the engagement of the Islamic Republic of Iran in supporting a path that opens space for diplomacy,” the ministry said.

Somalia, a current member of the United Nations Security Council, also expressed appreciation to the mediating countries, noting that their efforts contributed meaningfully to bringing the parties toward agreement.

The government emphasized the need for full implementation of the ceasefire and called for structured, sustained negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive and durable resolution to the crisis.

“As a nation closely linked to the stability of the Red Sea and the wider Gulf region, Somalia underscores the importance of implementation of the ceasefire agreement,” the statement said.

The Horn of Africa nation highlighted the broader economic and security implications of the conflict, warning that disruptions to key maritime routes — including those connected to the Strait of Hormuz — could have far-reaching global consequences.

“The security of maritime routes and the uninterrupted flow of international trade remain vital to regional stability and global economic resilience,” the ministry added.

Somalia reaffirmed its commitment to diplomacy and the peaceful resolution of disputes, calling on all parties to adhere to the principles of the United Nations Charter, including respect for sovereignty and dialogue-based conflict resolution.

“This ceasefire must serve not as an endpoint, but as a foundation for lasting peace built on dialogue, mutual respect, and shared responsibility,” the statement said.

The government said Somalia stands ready to support international efforts aimed at consolidating peace, reducing tensions and promoting stability, underscoring its growing diplomatic role on the global stage