Somalia’s President Hosts New African Union Chairperson in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud hosted Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, the newly elected Chairperson of the African Union Commission, at the Villa Somalia Presidential Palace on Sunday, marking Youssouf’s first official visit to the country since taking office in February. The visit underscored Somalia’s critical role in the African Union’s peace and security agenda and signaled a strengthening of ties between Mogadishu and the continental body.

Youssouf, a veteran Djiboutian diplomat elected during the AU’s 38th Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa, arrived in Mogadishu earlier Sunday, greeted by Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama and other senior officials. The two-day visit, at the formal invitation of Somalia’s federal government, focused on deepening cooperation on regional security, economic development, and Somalia’s ongoing state-building efforts.

In a speech delivered at Villa Somalia alongside Mohamud, Youssouf expressed the AU’s “full support” for Somalia’s fight against terrorism and its pursuit of stability. “With commitment, the challenges facing Somalia can be overcome,” Youssouf said. Youssouf’s emphasis on solidarity is seen as a key theme of the visit.

Mohamud, in turn, highlighted the AU’s pivotal role in Somalia’s progress, particularly through the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), set to conclude by December 2024. “This visit reaffirms our shared resolve to secure a peaceful and prosperous future for Somalia and the Horn of Africa,” Mohamud said, according to a statement from Villa Somalia. The president’s office described the talks as “productive,” with discussions centering on accelerating security transitions, countering al-Shabab, and boosting economic integration.

The visit follows a tumultuous week in Mogadishu, where a car bomb attack targeting Mohamud’s convoy on March 18 killed several civilians but left the president unharmed. Youssouf condemned the attack in a statement from Addis Ababa last week, calling it a “desperate attempt by al-Shabab to undermine Somalia’s leadership.”

Youssouf’s election as AU Commission Chairperson marked a shift from his predecessor, Moussa Faki Mahamat, who served from 2017 until early 2025. A seasoned foreign minister from Djibouti, Youssouf has vowed to prioritize peace and integration across Africa, themes he reiterated in Mogadishu. His visit is expected to conclude Monday with further engagements, including a possible briefing on AU troop contributions from Kenya, Uganda, and Djibouti.

GAROWE ONLINE