Somalia: High-level Security Meeting kicks off in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia's President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has on Sunday opened a high-level forum in Villa Somalia, the country's Presidential Palace in Mogadishu, Garowe Online reports.

In a statement released by the Presidency and obtained by GO said the roundtable meeting aims to consult on key issues that are vital to Somalia, collective and coordinated approach towards the national security and the war on Al Shabaab.

Abdiweli Mohamed Ali of Puntland, HirShabelle President, Mohamed Abdi Waare, Jubbaland President Ahmed Madobe and Southwest leader, Sharif Hassan, as well as Benadir governor Thabit Abdi Mohamed, Somali PM Hassan Ali Khaire and his deputy Mahdi Mohamed Guled, are attending the conference.

Galmudug state President Ahmed Dualle Geelle failed to attend the meeting, as he is in Djibouti for IGAD-brokered talks with his rival Ahlu Sunna group leader, who controls large swathes of territory in central Somalia.

Leaders of the Federal Member States and the Federal Government of Somalia will also discuss on ways to strengthen cooperation between the security agencies of all sides and form a united front against Al Shabaab, the main threat to the peace and stability.

Somali Security and Military chiefs are in attendance and invited to brief the leaders about the planned military offensive against the terrorists and the ongoing operations aimed at rooting out Al Shabaab from the entire country.

GAROWE ONLINE