After 25 harrowing days stranded in the Indian Ocean, two Somali fishermen, Ibrahim Mohamud Ali and Sharmake Nuur Abdi Aadan, have finally returned home to a heartfelt reunion with their families at Aden Adde International Airport.

Their safe return was made possible through the relentless efforts of the Somali Ambassador to China, Dr. Hodan Osman, whose leadership and dedication were instrumental in coordinating their rescue and repatriation.

Ambasador Hodan Osman worked closely with international partners, including the Huatai Insurance Agency and the crew of the Chinese rescue vessel, to ensure the fishermen received immediate medical care and essential support. She also collaborated with Said Jama Mire, the Director of Asia and Australia Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international Cooperation, to secure emergency travel documents and facilitate the fishermen’s return to Somalia.

The fishermen were rescued by a Chinese vessel approximately 130 nautical miles off Seychelles after their boat’s engine failed, leaving them adrift without food or water. Upon their arrival in Mogadishu, the fishermen expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Federal Government of Somalia for its unwavering efforts in ensuring their safe return and to the Chinese vessel’s crew for their lifesaving intervention.

This remarkable operation underscores the Ministry’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Somali citizens abroad and highlights the importance of effective diplomatic engagement in addressing emergencies.

The Ministry extends its deepest appreciation to Ambasador Hodan Osman for her exemplary leadership, as well as to Said Jama Mire, the Chinese authorities, Huatai Insurance Agency, and Somali diplomatic missions, whose collective efforts ensured the success of this operation.