The commander of U.S. Africa Command visits Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud welcomed a top US army General at Villa Somalia on Wednesday, amid his shuttle diplomatic missions in recent weeks, following Ethiopia’s controversial agreement with the breakaway region of Somaliland.

Ethiopia, a landlocked country in the Horn of Africa, signed a controversial agreement with, Somaliland, which if implemented, will give it direct access to the Red Sea, having secured 20 kilometers of land for the next 50 years.

General Michael E. Langley, the US Africa Command chief, held talks with Hassan Sheikh, about combating terrorism featuring. The US remains one of the security and development partners of the Horn of Africa nation which is on the rebuilding module.

"President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has today received General Michael E. Langley, Commander of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), in Mogadishu," state media reports, just moments after the General visited Kenya.

"They discussed the joint efforts to combat international terrorism, bolstering the productive Somalia-US. security partnership and other regional security issues of mutual interest," the state media added.

The US is actively involved in operations against Al-Shabaab, with the latest airstrike by the US army targeting Al-Shabaab militants in the Kismayo area within Jubaland. Three senior Al-Shabaab militants were killed during the operation, the command said.

Last week, the US warned against interference in Somalia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, noting that it is 'closely monitoring actions'. Somalia has also received huge support from Egypt, the African Union, the UK, and many other international partners.

With the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia troops exiting the country in phases, the US Africa Command has been training Danab commandos, who are set to take over security responsibilities in the country. Al-Shabab militants have lost influence in recent years.

GAROWE ONLINE