President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has been received to the Pentagon on Thursday by the Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III. The leaders discussed the work that President Hassan Sheikh’s administration has done to counter violent extremism in Somalia and the Department’s support to Somalia’s security forces.
As earlier reported, the Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was to meet US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, to discuss American engagement in Somalia.
Villa Somalia confirmed that the two exchanged views on the security outlook for the Horn of Africa in light of climate shocks, humanitarian issues, conflict, and the threat of violent extremism.
Secretary Austin reaffirmed the Department’s commitment to countering violent extremism and expressed appreciation for President Hassan Sheikh’s administration’s willingness to host U.S. forces.
It was reported the pentagon hailed President Hassan Sheikh’s leadership in strategizing and re-energizing the Somali security forces.
His engagment with the U.S. and international partners was also lauded in the meeting.
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At the White House, assistant to the President for National Security Affairs Jake Sullivan received President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for a meeting to reinforce the strong partnership between the United States and Somalia.
Mr. Sullivan joined by Assistant to the President for Homeland Security Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, commended Somalia’s leadership in its work to build a national consensus and counter the al-Shabaab threat.
In the end, they expressed concern over the devastating Horn of Africa drought, which is impacting Somalis most acutely, and emphasized the urgent need for additional humanitarian aid.
