Mogadishu, Somalia – Djibouti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdikadir Hussein Omar, has concluded his first official visit to Somalia, reaffirming his country’s enduring commitment to regional peace and stability through its contributions to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).
In Mogadishu, Omar visited AUSSOM headquarters where he was received by Deputy Special Representative of the AU Chairperson (Deputy SRCC), Ambassador Mouktar Osman Karie, alongside senior mission officials. The delegation received a comprehensive briefing on the mission’s objectives, current operations, and progress achieved in stabilisation efforts.
The minister then travelled to Beletweyne, HirShabelle State, where he was warmly welcomed by regional leaders and AUSSOM’s Sector 4 Commander, Abdirahman Royale Hared. During discussions with local authorities and mission leadership, security challenges and strategies for strengthening collaboration between AUSSOM peacekeepers and Somali forces were highlighted.
Amb. Karie described the minister’s visit as a significant morale boost for the peacekeepers, stressing Djibouti’s central role as both a troop-contributing country and a steadfast partner in Somalia’s security transition.
Omar commended Djiboutian forces serving under AUSSOM, praising their dedication and sacrifice in safeguarding communities from Al-Shabaab threats. He conveyed greetings from President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Djibouti’s military leadership, underlining that his visit was both a show of solidarity with the troops and recognition of the mission’s vital role in Somalia’s stabilisation.
HirShabelle’s Minister of Interior, Abdirahman Dahir Gure, expressed gratitude for the visit, noting that AUSSOM’s close coordination with Somali forces continues to be instrumental in counterterrorism operations and in fostering security in the region.
The Djiboutian delegation included Somalia’s Ambassador to Djibouti, Salad Ali Jelle, Djibouti’s Ambassador to Somalia, Mohamed Ibrahim Yusuf, Senior Advisor Ambassador Mohamed Idriss, as well as senior civilian and military officials.
Djibouti remains one of the key contributors to AUSSOM, deploying forces in central Somalia where they play a crucial role in securing population centers and supporting the Somali National Army in counter-insurgency operations.