Mogadishu turned festive Thursday as crowds gathered to honor Yemeni Nobel Peace Prize laureate Tawakkol Abdulsalam Karman during her official visit to Somalia, hosted at the invitation of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the First Lady.

The celebration, held in the capital, was adorned with colorful banners in Somali, Arabic and English, featuring Karman’s image alongside the Yemeni and Somali flags—a nod to the historic ties linking the two nations.

Addressing the audience, Karman praised the resilience and leadership of Somali women, commending their role in advancing peace, stability, and development in the country. She highlighted their growing presence in parliament and government and vowed to continue supporting Somali women and defending their rights. She also expressed deep gratitude for what she described as Somalia’s generous hospitality and warm embrace.

The laureate was presented with several shields and symbolic gifts from the President’s wife, the Women’s Bloc in Parliament, and the Women’s Department in the Presidency. Mogadishu’s governorate and women’s associations also offered handicrafts and traditional mementos in her honor.

The event unfolded in a jubilant atmosphere, with Somali chants, ululations, and the fluttering of Somali and Yemeni flags filling the hall. In a gesture that drew warm applause, Karman appeared in traditional Somali attire, underscoring her connection to the moment and her standing as a global icon of peaceful struggle and human rights.