Residents of Bosaso city in Somalia’s semi-autonomous region of Puntland celebrated on Saturday a sister city partnership with Minneapolis which was established last week.
A new relationship between the cities of Bosaso in Somalia and Minneapolis, USA, was born after it was passed unanimously by the committee of Intergovernmental relations of Minneapolis local council.
The new relationship that is of great cultural significance, was made possible by a convergence of efforts by Somali Community members who hail from Puntland in Minneapolis.
Hassan Abdalla, the mayor of Bosaso town welcomed the new partnership and thanked every party who worked on its possibility.
‘’ The creation of this partnership went through different phases and at last it was established…. It carries very many different benefits for both cities and residents,’’ he said.
The benefits of being a sister city are that educational, economical and cultural ties enhance cultural understanding, tourism and educational and job opportunities, said one of the Bosaso local elders.
‘’ We are looking forward to exchange difference experiences with the Minneapolis residents,’’ said one of the residents.
Located in Northeastern Somalia on the Gulf of Aden coast, Bosaso is the third largest city in the country and it is the economic heart of Puntland State with a major seaport.
The sister city program which was formed by former U.S president Dwight D. Eisenhower, is a non-profit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between communities in the United States and those in other countries, particularly through the establishment of “sister cities”.
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