Djibouti honours Prof Femi Badejo for role in foundational Somali peace process

In a moving ceremony held in Djibouti City, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Djibouti, H.E. Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, on behalf of President Ismail Omar Guelleh, decorated Prof Femi Badejo of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ogun State, with the Order of 27 June 1977, one of the nation’s highest honours.

The recognition was conferred in appreciation of Prof Badejo’s pivotal role in advancing peace and reconciliation in Somalia, most notably during the Arta Peace Conference of 2000, whose outcomes laid the foundation for Somalia’s modern governance structures.

The ceremony also honored H.E. Mohamed Abdi Affey, who served as Kenya’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs twenty-five years ago and participated in the Arta process as President Daniel arap Moi’s Special Envoy. Both recipients were recognized for their enduring contributions to regional peace and cooperation.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed underscored the significance of the Arta Conference as a cornerstone of Somali nation-building and commended the honorees for their steadfast commitment to dialogue, diplomacy, and peace.

“The efforts of these distinguished individuals continue to resonate today,” the Prime Minister noted. “Their vision and perseverance helped establish the institutions that underpin Somalia’s current governance framework.”

During the occasion, Prof Badejo presented hardcover copies of his acclaimed book, “Somalia Just Before Al-Shabaab: Why Peace Was Elusive,” to both the President and the Prime Minister.

The book, an insider’s analytical chronicle, explores the complex dynamics that challenged Somalia’s peace efforts and documents the evolution of reconciliation initiatives, including the formative Arta Conference.

Reflecting on the honor, Prof Badejo said: “This recognition is not mine alone. It belongs to all those who believed that peace in Somalia was possible — and who worked tirelessly to make it real. The Arta Conference was not an endpoint but a beginning, one that continues to shape the destiny of the Somali people.”

The Order of 27 June 1977 commemorates Djibouti’s independence and is awarded to individuals whose service has made a lasting impact on the nation or the broader region.

The award to Prof Badejo highlights Djibouti’s enduring commitment to peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.