Somalia: President Hassan flies to the U.S. for first visit 13 Jan 13, 2013 - 8:46:19 PM
MOGADISHU, Somalia Jan. 13, 2013 (Garowe Online
) - The president of Somalia
's federal government Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has traveled to the United States on a trip to boost relations with the U.S. Government, Garowe Online reports.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
President Hassan flew from Mogadishu on Sunday accompanied by Foreign Minister Fosia Yusuf Haji Aden.
A statement from President Hassan
's office said that the Somali president was visiting the U.S.
"
to boost cooperation on security, humanitarian, and development matters
" in Somalia
with U.S. officials in Washington, D.C.
Since his election in September 2012, President Hassan has traveled to a number of countries to boost ties, including Uganda, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan, and Turkey.
President Hassan is the first leader of the Somali federal government that emerged in August 2012, after Somalia underwent 22 years without a permanent government recognized internationally.
The
U.S. Governme
nt
is
among the
donor co
untries that
funds the
African
Union
M
ission in
Somalia (
AMISOM)
peacekeep
ing operation that ass
ists the
Somali government forces in south-central Somalia, including Mogadishu and Kismayo.