London-Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP has welcomed the official launch of Labour Friends of Somalia, marking a renewed commitment by the Labour Party to strengthen political, diplomatic, and community links between the United Kingdom and Somalia. The launch event brought together parliamentarians, community leaders, and diplomatic representatives, reflecting the growing importance of UK–Somalia relations in Parliament.
Speaking at the launch alongside his colleague Afzal Khan MP, Dhesi highlighted the significance of cross-party and cross-community engagement in shaping a constructive international agenda. The event was also attended by the Somali Ambassador to the UK and other MPs, underlining the shared interest in deepening cooperation across areas such as development, security, trade, and diaspora engagement.
Dhesi emphasised that Labour has a long and proud tradition as a diverse and internationalist party, rooted in solidarity with communities both at home and abroad. He noted that the establishment of Labour Friends of Somalia will provide a focused parliamentary platform to build on the historic ties between the two countries and to ensure that the voices of the Somali diaspora in the UK are heard more clearly in policy discussions.
The UK is home to a significant Somali community, which has played a vital role in British social, economic, and cultural life. MPs at the launch stressed that stronger engagement with Somalia is not only a matter of foreign policy, but also of recognising the contributions and concerns of British Somalis, particularly on issues such as peace-building, education, and economic opportunity.
Concluding the event, Dhesi reiterated Labour’s intention to work closely with the Somali government, diplomatic representatives, and community organisations to promote stability, mutual respect, and long-term partnership. The launch of Labour Friends of Somalia, he said, signals a clear commitment to fostering stronger UK–Somalia relations grounded in shared values and international cooperation.