The Republic of Djibouti has officially honoured two distinguished regional diplomats, Ambassador Mohamed Abdi Affey and Professor Babafemi Badejo, in recognition of their pivotal contributions to peace and reconciliation in Somalia.
The honour coincided with the 25th anniversary of the landmark Arta Reconciliation Conference, a historic process that laid the groundwork for Somalia’s transitional governance and peacebuilding efforts.
During an official ceremony chaired by Djibouti’s Prime Minister, Mr. Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, the two peace envoys were awarded the nation’s highest medal, the National Rank of Honour, on June 27, symbolising the country’s deep appreciation for their tireless dedication to regional stability and humanitarian service.
Ambassador Mohamed Abdi Affey, a renowned Kenyan diplomat and former IGAD and UNHCR representative for the Horn of Africa, was celebrated for his steadfast advocacy for Somali refugees and his instrumental role in facilitating political dialogue across the region.
Professor Babafemi Badejo, a Nigerian academic and former Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, was commended for his critical role in implementing governance frameworks that emerged from the Arta peace process.
In his remarks, the Prime Minister praised the two honorees as “men who sacrificed their lives for peace,” noting that their work helped lay a foundation for reconciliation in a region long affected by instability.
The Arta Conference, held in 2000 under Djibouti’s leadership, marked a turning point in Somalia’s peace journey, bringing together diverse Somali stakeholders and resulting in the establishment of the Transitional National Government (TNG).