(18-10-23) MOGADISHU — Defence ministers from Somalia and Kenya met in Mogadishu on Wednesday for high-stakes talks centred on ramping up joint counter-terrorism efforts, officials said.
Somali Minister of Defence Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur hosted his Kenyan counterpart, Cabinet Secretary Adan Barre Duale, for a meeting that the Somali Ministry of Defence characterised as an “official working visit.”
“The two ministers will discuss security, defence, counter-terrorism cooperation, and other issues,” a spokesperson for the Somali Ministry of Defence said in a statement. Both nations are grappling with the constant menace posed by the Al-Shabaab terrorist group, responsible for numerous attacks and destabilising activities in the region.
In addition to talks with Nur, Duale is scheduled to meet Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, showcasing the significance and urgency attached to the discussions.
Aid for the Somali National Army is also on the agenda, with Kenya’s Defence Ministry set to hand over 17 military transport vehicles. This significant move aims to bolster Somali forces as they ramp up operations against Al-Shabaab.
Kenya, a key contributor to the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), frequently faces attacks from Al-Shabaab on its soil. These high-level talks between Somalia and Kenya aim to establish a unified and effective strategy for counter-terrorism. This collaborative effort may serve as a foundational step towards broader security cooperation across East Africa.
Halqabsi News
