Mogadishu – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday held high-level talks with the Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, focusing on Somalia’s security situation and the ongoing fight against Al-Shabaab.

The meeting centered on the security landscape in Somalia and the wider region, efforts to intensify counterterrorism operations, and ways to strengthen defense and security cooperation between Somalia and the United States.

The two sides also discussed continued U.S. support for Somalia’s peace and security initiatives, including assistance aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Somali security forces and supporting operations against Al-Shabaab.

President Hassan Sheikh expressed appreciation to the United States for its continued partnership and support, saying the cooperation between the two countries plays an important role in strengthening Somalia’s National Armed Forces and promoting security, stability, and regional development.

General Anderson reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Somalia, particularly in counterterrorism efforts, military capacity building, and expanding strategic cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting comes as Somalia continues military operations against Al-Shabaab while seeking closer security cooperation with international partners.

The United States remains one of Somalia’s key security partners, providing military training, capacity-building assistance, support for operations targeting armed groups, and assistance in strengthening the country’s security institutions.

A day earlier, a delegation from the U.S. Congress and senior military officials visited Kismayo, where they held talks with Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe). According to reports, the delegation is also expected to travel to Garowe and Hargeisa for meetings with the leaders of Puntland and Somaliland.