Mogadishu, Somalia – Brigadier General Ahmed Abdullahi Sheikh, a senior commander in Somalia’s elite Danab forces, extended his heartfelt congratulations to his longtime colleague and friend, Lieutenant General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, on his promotion to General and nomination as the next Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
In a public statement, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Sheikh praised Gen. Anderson’s “well-deserved” promotion and described him as a seasoned leader with unmatched expertise in counterterrorism and special operations.
“His extensive experience as an Air Force Special Operations officer, including his previous leadership of U.S. Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAF), gives him an exceptional understanding of the threats facing our region,” Brig. Gen. Ahmed Sheikh noted.
He added that Gen. Anderson’s track record and deep regional knowledge would be instrumental in strengthening joint efforts to combat violent extremist groups across the Horn of Africa.
Gen. Anderson’s appointment comes at a critical time, as Somalia and its international partners continue their coordinated campaign against Al-Shabaab and other militant groups destabilizing the region.
AFRICOM continues to be one of Somalia’s top military partners and plays a crucial role in the East African nation’s counterterrorism efforts against Al-Shabaab and ISIS.