Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights advocate Tawakkol Karman has urged the international community to intensify efforts to support peace, stability, and development in Somalia, calling the country’s recovery a “humanitarian duty and global priority.”

Karman wrapped up a short visit to Mogadishu this week at the invitation of Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Speaking at the conclusion of her trip, she stressed the importance of investing in education and sustainable development as the foundation for lasting stability.

The Yemeni activist also praised Somali women for their role in advancing peace and strengthening the political process. “Somali women are a vital force for change, helping to consolidate the values of peace and national unity,” she said.

During her visit, Karman met with Somali government officials, women leaders, and members of parliament to discuss ways to expand women’s participation in politics and public life. She also visited educational and social centers, including facilities for orphans and girls, where she reviewed programs in education, psychological care, and social rehabilitation.

As part of her humanitarian tour, Karman announced new support for the Mogadishu Girls’ Orphanage in the city’s Bondhere district. The Tawakkol Karman International Foundation will equip the center with a fully furnished computer lab of 50 modern computers and provide 60 scholarships for English language studies.

Karman expressed gratitude for the hospitality she received in Somalia, reaffirming her solidarity with the Somali people and their aspirations for a secure and stable future. She underscored that supporting initiatives for education and youth empowerment is essential to strengthening peace and resilience in the country.

She noted that her mission was to mobilize greater international attention for Somalia and to back its people in overcoming the challenges they continue to face.

Her Mogadishu stop was part of a broader humanitarian tour focused on women, peace, and development in the Horn of Africa.