On Tuesday, Somalia’s Minister of Defence, Ambassador Ahmed Fiqi, and Somali National Army (SNA) Commander General Odowaa Yusuf Rageh held a high-level meeting with the Commander of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and U.S. Ambassador to Somalia, Richard Riley. The discussions centered on enhancing the existing military partnership between the two nations, with a strong emphasis on joint operations and continued collaboration in the fight against Al-Shabaab and ISIS.
Somalia reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating terrorism and emphasized the importance of U.S. support in bolstering national security institutions, improving operational coordination, and strengthening counterterrorism efforts. The Somali delegation expressed deep gratitude for the unwavering support provided by the United States, recognizing its critical role in advancing Somalia’s long-term peace, stability, and sovereignty.
The meeting comes at a pivotal time as Somalia prepares for the transition to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and the consolidation of national security forces. Both sides agreed to maintain close cooperation in training, intelligence sharing, and equipping Somali forces to ensure durable gains against insurgent threats.