Friday April 4, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — The Somali government has expelled Anna Saleem Högberg, Sweden's consul and head of development cooperation in Mogadishu, amid growing diplomatic tensions, according to Global Bar Magazine.
While Somali officials have not issued a formal statement, multiple sources familiar with the matter say the expulsion followed a rift between Högberg and the office of Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre. The disagreement reportedly escalated over several months before culminating in her removal in March.
Högberg, who had overseen Sweden's humanitarian and development portfolio in Somalia since 2022, previously held a similar position in Sudan. Her work focused on coordinating aid programs and strengthening institutional cooperation between Sweden and Somalia.
Sources cited by Global Bar Magazine indicated that Somali authorities accused Högberg of damaging the government's image—an allegation that played a key role in the decision to expel her.
Sweden has long been a key development partner to Somalia, with contributions in humanitarian assistance, governance reform, and institution-building. It remains unclear how Högberg's departure will affect ongoing aid programs.
Officials from Sweden's Foreign Ministry and the development agency Sida declined to comment on the matter.