(19-09-23) MOGADISHU — State Minister of Defence for the Federal Government of Somalia, Abdinur Dahir Fidow and top officers from the Somali National Army (SNA) hosted key security talks in the Somali capital on Monday with French officials, led by Maj. Gen. Laurent Boite, Commander of French Forces in Djibouti. The meeting marks a notable advancement for Franco-Somali relations.
The talks zeroed in on bolstering mutual security commitments between Somalia and France, particularly in relation to the ongoing operations against Al-Shabaab. “We informed the French delegation about current military initiatives in the Galmudug and Hirshabelle regions, emphasising the urgent need for enhanced military and humanitarian aid,” Minister Fidow told Halqabsi News.
The French military delegation is set to relay their findings to the French government. Substantial support for Somalia’s counterterrorism efforts against Al-Shabaab is anticipated. “The visit from French officials is essentially an assessment that will be reported back to Paris. We remain hopeful for robust support in our anti-extremism efforts,” stated an SNA official.
Although details of future cooperation between Somalia and France remain under wraps, insiders suggest that Monday’s talks could pave the way for a more intense military collaboration between the two nations.
Halqabsi News