Somalia: What CIA director discussed with President Hassan Sheikh?

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The CIA director William Burns made a maiden trip to East Africa, and Somalia was one of the destinations, where he held in-depth discussions with President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who is under pressure due to impending constitutional changes.

During the discussions, the security situation and terrorism in the country played a significant part, with the US being one of the security partners in the Horn of Africa nation which has struggled with stability for the last three decades.

In a statement, the Somali presidency said Burns and Mohamud held a "high-level discussion on strengthening the enduring Somalia-U.S. strategic partnership." The US trains elite Danab Special Forces who are integral in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

"The meeting covered a range of mutually beneficial topics, including supporting the Somali Federal Government in countering international terrorism promoting regional stability, and addressing key security challenges in the Horn of Africa."

"They both emphasized the importance of collaboration on issues essential to peace and security, reaffirming their commitment to advancing stability across the region," the statement added.

The CIA chief’s visit to Somalia comes as tensions have escalated between Somalia and Ethiopia due to Addis Ababa’s Red Sea access deal with the breakaway state of Somaliland. International partners, including Türkiye, are mediating to resolve the dispute.

Ethiopia signed the deal leading to protests from Somalia, but the mediation efforts are yet to offer any meaningful solution. The US has occasionally been trying to reach out to both sides but equally, there is no outcome that seems to bring the matter to rest.

GAROWE ONLINE