HELSINKI, Finland — (Horn post) A senior delegation from the Somaliland Police Force, led by Training Commander Abdiqani Isa Maygag, has held a series of high-level meetings in Helsinki aimed at strengthening international security cooperation between Somaliland and Finnish institutions, with discussions focusing on illegal migration, refugee management and law enforcement development.
Abdiqani Isa Maygag, who is currently on an official working visit to Finland, participated in key meetings with several Finnish institutions, including the International Organization for Migration, where he was formally received by senior IOM official Tobias van Treeck.
The meeting focused on expanding cooperation between Somaliland and Finland while improving coordination on migration-related challenges affecting the Horn of Africa region.
During the discussions, Commander Maygag shared extensive professional experience and presented a detailed briefing highlighting Somaliland’s security priorities and the country’s efforts to address growing challenges linked to irregular migration and cross-border refugee movement.
A major part of the talks centered around illegal migration and undocumented refugees entering Somaliland, with both sides discussing strategies aimed at improving awareness campaigns and strengthening institutional cooperation.
Officials from IOM welcomed the growing partnership with Somaliland institutions, particularly cooperation with Somaliland’s Interior Ministry and Information Ministry on public awareness programs designed to combat dangerous irregular migration.
“We highly value the cooperation we have built with Somaliland institutions and remain committed to strengthening partnerships on migration awareness and issues directly affecting communities,” officials from IOM said during the meeting.
In a separate engagement, Commander Maygag was warmly received at the headquarters of the Helsinki Police Department Field Operations Division, where he held strategic discussions with senior Finnish police officials.
Among those receiving the Somaliland delegation were Leea Virkkunen, a senior police commander overseeing field supervision and public security operations, and Sara Nikkinen, who leads criminal investigation and crime prevention operations.
The meetings focused on knowledge exchange and professional cooperation between Somaliland police institutions and Finnish law enforcement authorities.
Commander Maygag outlined Somaliland Police’s operational needs, particularly the urgent need for modern crowd-control and riot prevention equipment that can help law enforcement agencies manage demonstrations while protecting both civilians and police officers.
“Modern crowd-control equipment is essential for maintaining public order while ensuring the safety of both citizens and police officers during demonstrations and public security operations,” Commander Abdi Isa Maygaag said during the discussions.
The official meetings concluded with both sides reaching a broad understanding on future cooperation frameworks between the Somaliland Police Force and Finnish police authorities, particularly institutions based in Helsinki.
As a symbolic gesture of the newly established partnership, Commander Leea Virkkunen presented Commander Maygag with a commemorative gift reflecting the beginning of a new phase of cooperation between the two sides.
The meetings were also attended and facilitated by Samiya Muse, Somaliland’s representative in Finland, who played an active role in supporting the diplomatic and institutional engagements.
The visit marks an important step in Somaliland’s efforts to strengthen international policing partnerships, improve institutional capacity and deepen cooperation with global partners on migration management and public security challenges.
Pictures:
Horn Post News Desk.
Hargeisa, Somaliland
