UK reaffirms support for Somalia's fight against terrorism
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud expressed his appreciation to the UK government for its role in training Somali forces.
The United Kingdom's State Minister for Armed Forces James Stephen Heappey during a visit to Somalia on Sunday met with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and pledged his country’s support in the ongoing war against Al Shabaab and combating international terrorism.
According to a statement by the Somalia Government, President Hassan Sheikh briefed the visiting Minister on the ongoing fight against terror in the Horn of Africa country.
More To Read
- Somaliland at crossroads: Could US geostrategic interests break recognition deadlock?
- Interior CS Murkomen allays fears of increased Al-Shabaab attacks
- Is Kenya’s president safe in a crowd? Security expert scans VIP protection checklist
- AU mission in Somalia to increase troop size to 8,000 to counter Al-Shabaab
- Regional leaders order joint plan to eliminate Al-Shabaab, back stronger AUSSOM presence
- Somalia, US forces destroy two vessels carrying Al-Shabaab weapons
“The President thanked the UK government for training Somalia forces at a time when the country is preparing to take over security responsibilities from the remaining African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops,” the statement read.
The statement further said that Minister Heappey thanked the government and people of Somalia for the remarkable developments and pledged his country's continued defence collaboration and their joint war against terrorism.
In a statement shared on social media, the UK embassy in Mogadishu said the Minister also discussed security cooperation with the Somalia President.
We’re advancing the UK-Somalia
— UK in Somalia🇬🇧🇸🇴 (@UKinSomalia) February 25, 2024
Partnership 🤝
Today 🇬🇧 Minister for Armed
Forces @JSHeappey visited Mogadishu
where he met 🇸🇴 President@HassanSMohamud to discuss security
cooperation and our bilateral ties. https://t.co/Pr7WJNC3v4
The UK joined other countries to support Somalia after their diplomatic stand-off with Ethiopia after Addis Ababa signed a maritime pact with the breakaway region of Somaliland on January 1.
“The UK is concerned by escalating tensions in the Horn of Africa. We reaffirm our full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia. We urge restraint and dialogue to peacefully resolve issues,” the UK Embassy in Mogadishu posted on X.
The UK and Somalia enjoy a close, longstanding and strategic partnership focused on shared priorities of state-building, security, counter-terrorism, economic development, human development and addressing climate change.
The UK was the first Western country to re-open its Embassy in Mogadishu 10 years ago.
Since then, through bilateral engagement and convening important international partners, the UK has supported Somali-led efforts to strengthen its federal system, helped to reduce conflict and instability, supported economic and social development and championed Somalia in international forums.
Top Stories Today
- Somaliland’s 30-year fight for recognition: Will US interests tip the balance?
- Study: Over 82pc of child deaths in high-mortality regions preventable
- 800,000 more Kenyans turn to Fuliza in 2024 as economic pressure bites
- State pays Sh70 million to wildlife conflict victims in Laikipia
- Counties, KPLC clash over fibre revenues and unpaid wayleave charges
- Kenya Power adds 134,630 rural users but sees first revenue dip since 2020
- Mandera leaders visit Banisa to de-escalate tension following killing of six family members
- State pours Sh2.8 billion into affordable housing research
- Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine to seek presidency, chides West over rights
- Financing peacebuilding likely to feature in UN's architecture review this year
- Ruku orders probe into NYS procurement process amid allegations of embezzlement of Sh2bn
- Were's murder case: Why LBDA director Ebel Ochieng is seeking magistrate's recusal
- Interior CS Murkomen allays fears of increased Al-Shabaab attacks
- Government leases four state-owned sugar mills to private firms for 30 years
- Bodyguard, driver were in contact with MP Charles Were’s killers- Police
- Politician Philip Aroko detained for seven days in probe into Were's murder
- Rights group seeks to join suit targeting police officers who conceal identity during operations
- Mwilu had no power to appoint bench in Gachagua impeachment case, court rules
- High Court bars police from investigating extra-judicial killings, abductions
- Were murder case: High Court orders Aroko to be produced on Monday
