African defense ministers convene meeting to boost stabilization efforts in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) – African defense ministers began a two-day meeting in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu on Tuesday to boost stabilization efforts in the country.

Daoud Awes Jama, Somalia’s Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, said ministers from the bordering states – Djibouti, Kenya and Ethiopia – are expected to adopt a common position on regional security and the fight against al-Shabaab extremists in Somalia.

“The meeting of the defense ministers is discussing the completion of the operation to liberate the areas where al-Shabaab is still operating, the coordination of the vital support of the frontline countries and the security,” Avis told reporters. How to help the forces.” Mogadishu.

The minister said the meeting, which is being attended by chiefs of defense forces including military commanders of troop-contributing countries, will come out with an integrated strategy to counter terrorism. He said the ministers discussed strengthening security cooperation, intensifying operations against the al-Shabaab terrorist group and the operation of the African Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

Tuesday’s meeting is a prelude to Wednesday’s regional summit which will be attended by the presidents of the three countries.

The summit will be chaired by Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, who will present the general security situation in Somalia, especially the campaign against al-Shabaab and the best ways to deal with the threat of terrorism and drive them out of Somalia.

Uganda was the first country to deploy troops as part of African Union peacekeeping operations in Somalia in 2007. Other troop-contributing countries include Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya.

ATMIS is the largest peace assistance mission in Africa and has been mandated by both the African Union and the United Nations to reduce the threat posed by al-Shabaab and support peace and reconciliation efforts towards a secure and stable Somalia.