Mogadishu, Somalia – The efforts by Somalia to build a stronger, more secure state gained fresh momentum after top government officials met with the United States ambassador in Mogadishu to discuss expanding cooperation across defence, governance, and economic stability.
In a quiet but pivotal session, Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Finance Minister Bihi Egeh sat down with U.S. Ambassador Richard H. Riley to assess how both nations can deepen their partnership at a time when Somalia is navigating a sensitive phase of state-building and security reform. The meeting brought together two ministries that rarely share the same table yet remain equally essential to Somalia’s path toward lasting peace.
Officials familiar with the discussions described a candid exchange that centred on enhancing Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab and the smaller but increasingly disruptive Daesh cells operating in the country. The Somali side underscored the heavy financial and human investment it continues to make in reclaiming territory, stabilising liberated areas, and building a professional national army capable of securing the country without foreign troops.
Beyond the security front, the talks reflected Somalia’s desire to consolidate its state institutions after years of reforms. Strengthening governance systems, stabilising public finances, and ensuring predictable funding for the security sector were highlighted as key priorities. The presence of both the defence and finance ministers signalled a coordinated push to align battlefield gains with long-term institutional resilience.
For the United States, the meeting served as an opportunity to reaffirm its support for Somalia’s transition at a time when the region faces shifting security dynamics. Washington has remained a central partner in training Somali forces, supporting counterterrorism efforts, and backing governance reforms aimed at reducing the drivers of extremism.
The discussions came as Somalia works to demonstrate that it can maintain security momentum while navigating economic pressures, climate vulnerabilities, and political reforms. By engaging closely with the U.S., Somali officials hoped to reinforce partnerships that have underpinned some of the country’s most significant security advances in recent years.
As Somalia edges toward a future shaped less by conflict and more by institution-building, meetings such as this illustrate the delicate balance between immediate security needs and the broader vision of a stable, self-reliant state.