​Somalia's President pays his first domestic visit to Baidoa town

BAIDOA, Somalia- Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo has made his first domestic visit to Baidoa, the administrative capital of Southwest state on Sunday, Garowe Online reports.

President Farmajo was received by Southwest leader Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, cabinet ministers, state MPs, elders and members of the civil society upon his arrival to Baidoa's Airport.

The President accompanying defense and humanitarian affairs ministers have held talks with Southwest leaders over the drought crisis and security in the liberated areas in the region.

Farmajo has called on the people of Southwest to work with Somali National Army (SNA) and AU forces to wipe out the al-Shabaab from the remaining pockets in the region to allow the access of aid response.

"Let us unite to ensure the security, my government is committed to focus on security to allow aid to reach famine-hit areas, we are ready to tackle the drought situation in the country," said President Farmajo.

Additionally, sources said Somali President and Southwest leader will discuss about the planned integration of national army program  endorsed during the three-day summit in Mogadishu last week.

Somali government says it will integrate the troops of regional administrations in the coming three months to create a strong national army capable of taking the country's security responsibility from AMISOM forces.

GAROWEONLINE