General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Wamkele Mene, met leaders of the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) in Mogadishu on Monday, 17 August 2026, for discussions on the role of workers and organised labour in Somalia’s economic integration under the continental free trade framework.
Wararka Soomaaliya
The FESTU delegation was led by its general secretary, Omar Faruk Osman. The meeting focused on Somalia’s implementation of the AfCFTA and how expanding trade and investment can contribute to decent job creation, stronger labour rights and greater economic opportunities for Somali workers and their families.
The talks came as Somalia deepens its participation in African economic integration, with trade unions seeking to ensure that workers have a meaningful role in decisions that could shape employment, investment and the country’s labour market.
The trade union federation told the AfCFTA delegation that workers should be actively involved in the formulation and implementation of trade policies because decisions on economic integration have direct consequences for jobs, wages, working conditions and labour rights.
Faahfaahinta
The federation said the success of expanding intra-African trade should not be measured solely by the movement of goods, services and investment across borders but also by its ability to generate decent employment and improve the livelihoods of working people.
Reflecting positions advanced by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and ITUC-Africa, FESTU called for institutionalised and permanent social dialogue between the AfCFTA and organised labour. It also advocated permanent trade union representation within relevant AfCFTA governance structures, giving workers a meaningful voice in shaping and implementing policies that affect them.
FESTU General Secretary Omar Faruk Osman said African economic integration would be stronger and more inclusive if workers and their organisations were recognised as active participants in the process.
Saamaynta
“Workers are at the heart of production, services and economic development. As Somalia advances its participation in the AfCFTA, we want to see trade and investment creating decent jobs, protecting labour rights and delivering real benefits to working people and their families, with trade unions having permanent and structured engagement with the AfCFTA,” Osman said.
Mene welcomed continued engagement with organised labour and highlighted the importance of social dialogue in building an inclusive African economy. He cited FESTU’s engagement in Somalia as a positive example and pointed to ongoing efforts to strengthen engagement between the AfCFTA Secretariat and trade unions across Africa.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of cooperation among governments, businesses and workers’ organisations to ensure that the gains from economic integration are broadly shared and contribute to sustainable economic opportunities.
Wararka.so waxay kuu soo tebineysaa wararka ugu dambeeyey ee Soomaaliya iyo caalamka. Si aad ula socoto wararkii ugu dambeeyey, booqo boggayaga.
