The Fifth Quadrennial Congress of the Federation of Somali Trade Unions (FESTU) concluded triumphantly in Mogadishu on 11-12 February 2025, marking a historic milestone for the Somali labour movement. The Congress brought together 328 delegates – 53% men and 47% women – including 243 from the regions representing the five Federal Member States and 85 from Mogadishu.
The Congress, held under the theme “Empowering Workers’ Voice for Justice, Democracy and Inclusive Development,” opened with the distinguished presence of senior Somali government leaders, led by Deputy Prime Minister Abdisalan Abdi Ali, alongside Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Yusuf Mohamed Adan, and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hassan Moallim Mohamud. The Deputy Prime Minister assured the delegates about the government’s commitment to protecting Somali workers’ rights and strengthening social dialogue, legal protections and the realisation of the Decent Work Agenda as at most priorities of the country.
A demonstration of international solidarity marked the opening, with a notable presence from the diplomatic corps. British Ambassador to Somalia, Mike Nithavrianakis, Italian Ambassador Pier Mario Daccò Coppi and a senior representative from the U.S. Embassy were present, showing their strong support for Somali workers and their trade union organisations as they came together to exercise their rights to freedom of assembly, freedom of association and internal democracy.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) was represented at the highest level. ILO Director-General Gilbert Houngbo addressed the congress and hailed FESTU’s unwavering defence of workers’ rights, particularly its leadership in promoting social dialogue as a means of resolving conflicts. He highlighted FESTU’s success in embedding just transition principles into national law, setting a global precedent and proudly announced that FESTU had officially joined the Global Coalition for Social Justice.
Khumbula Ndaba, ILO Director for the Horn of Africa, travelled to Mogadishu to attend in person, reaffirming ongoing solidarity with FESTU’s fight for labour rights, social justice, decent work and meaningful worker representation. Maria Helena André, Director of the ILO Bureau for Workers’ Activities (ACTRAV), commended FESTU and its affiliates for their relentless efforts to empower workers and strengthen the labour movement, noting its vital role in driving progressive labour interventions and amplifying workers’ voices in policy-making.
Global and regional trade union leaders stood in powerful solidarity with FESTU, celebrating its fearless leadership in advancing workers’ rights and social justice. Comrade Joel Odigie, General Secretary of the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa), commended FESTU for becoming a steadfast and militant organisation that the African labour movement takes great pride in. Comrade Eric Manzi, Deputy General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), saluted FESTU’s tireless advocacy, which has brought labour rights to the forefront of Somalia’s national agenda. He praised FESTU’s relentless fight for workers’ rights and its staunch dedication to social justice.
The General Secretary of the Horn of Africa Confederation of Trade Unions (HACTU), Comrade Kassahun Follo, delivered an impassioned address, highlighting FESTU’s leadership in driving a regional, worker-centred agenda. HACTU pledged sustained solidarity with FESTU and its affiliates, recognising its vital role in strengthening a united labour movement across the Horn of Africa.
A fraternal message of enduring comradeship came from the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL). Speaking on behalf of CGIL, its International Secretary, Comrade Salvatore Marra, reaffirmed the deep and long-standing partnership between Somali and Italian trade unions. Marra acknowledged FESTU’s history of successful collaboration with CGIL, highlighting the Italian trade unions’ undying commitment to building a strong, organised labour movement within FESTU that defends workers’ rights and uplifts the working class.
The Congress provided a platform for intense debates on the most pressing issues facing Somali workers, focusing on strengthening labour rights, advancing the social justice agenda, promoting decent work, institutionalising social dialogue as a fundamental pillar for national inclusive development and realising a just transition in Somalia’s climate action. It also addressed the defence of the rights, safety and dignity of migrant workers – both those in Somalia and Somali nationals working abroad.
On the second day, the Congress held an extensive debate on the country’s transition to democracy, delivering a resounding call for democratic transition and rejecting the repetition of previous corrupt, prolonged, unfair, selective and violence-ridden indirect election models. Delegates pledged to fight for a transparent, people-centred democracy to prevail in the country without delay, while taking current realities on the ground into consideration. The delegates fully endorsed the ITUC-led global campaign FOR DEMOCRACY to take root in Somalia. They asserted that democracy goes beyond the ballot box – it requires progressive laws, respect for human rights, adherence to the just rule of law and policies driven by the people, who must have a say in shaping and directing them.
Delegates also confronted the scourge of gender-based violence, pledging to intensify the campaign to eradicate gendered violence, harassment and discrimination against women workers. They committed to ensuring the empowerment and emancipation of women workers both within and outside the union, while equally and strongly advocating for the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities, both in the workplace and in wider society and combating any discriminatory acts against them.
The Congress debated and passed a set of resolutions on the enforcement of new labour law and national policies; membership recruitment drive to increase union membership density to at least 40% over the next 4 years; institutionalisation of social dialogue mechanisms at both federal and state levels; advocacy for a people-centred transition to democracy; intensification of the defence of migrant workers’ rights; combating all forms of gender-based violence and empowering women workers; and reinforcing efforts to realise the principles of a just transition in Somalia, building on the positive progress made.
A key highlight of the Congress was the election of a new Executive Committee, as well as members for the National Women’s Committee and the Youth Committee. The newly elected Executive Committee, with a strong mandate for the next four years, includes Ahmed Osman Said as President, Nasra Haji Ahmed as First Deputy President and Maslah Abukar as Second Deputy President. Omar Faruk Osman was elected as General Secretary, while Hussein Madey Mohamed will serve as Deputy General Secretary. Ubah Ahmed Haji was elected as National Treasurer and Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed took on the role of National Organising Secretary.
As the Congress concluded, FESTU and its 12 affiliated unions emerged stronger than ever, with an unwavering commitment to executing a worker-focused agenda for the country’s progress. This includes championing human and labour rights, institutionalising social dialogue, advocating for democracy, realising a just transition, fighting for gender equality and equity, and promoting the core principles of social justice throughout the country.
Representing 12 union affiliates, which collectively represent 179,460 workers from across Somalia, the Congress stood as a resounding display of workers’ solidarity, determination and unity.
