(22-06-23) WASHINGTON — In a bilateral meeting held at the Pentagon on Wednesday, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, and US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin, have vowed to intensify efforts against Al-Shabaab insurgents, in a bid to restore stability and security to the strife-torn nation.
The American Defense Secretary applauded President Mohamud for the remarkable strides taken within an alarmingly tense period, commending his commitment to fostering peace and stability. He emphasised that a tranquil and secure Somalia is not just a regional necessity, but a prerequisite for global peace.
The meeting highlighted the United States’ commitment to aid the Somali government in ensuring national security and in its ongoing combat against terrorism. Central to the discussions was the ongoing operation to free the nation from the clutches of Al-Shabaab terrorists, who have continued to terrorize and plot brutal atrocities against the Somali citizenry.
President Mohamud also shed light on the international arms embargo imposed on Somalia, which has proven a significant hindrance in the redevelopment of the Somali Armed Forces. The Somali government’s aspiration is to see the Armed Forces fully assume the country’s security mantle, which includes eradicating the terrorist threat.
Mohamud expressed hope that the United States would back the Somali government’s bid to lift the sanctions, making the case at the United Nations and standing alongside Somalia in this crucial fight.
Both the President and the US Secretary of Defense stressed the importance of strengthening the cooperative ties between their respective nations, particularly in relation to regional security and stability. They pledged to ramp up support for the military reconstruction efforts and the enduring battle against terrorism.
