MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commander of U.S. Africa Command, during his first visit to Mogadishu.
They discussed security cooperation and counterterrorism, as well as U.S. support for Somalia’s fight against al-Shabab and ISIS militant groups.
Both leaders agreed to deepen collaboration to defeat terrorism and strengthen security amid Somalia’s ongoing political and security challenges.
Gen. Anderson also met African Union envoy El-Hadji Ibrahima Diene to discuss joint operations against al-Shabab and enhancing cooperation for lasting peace.
Diene praised AUSSOM’s vital role in Somalia’s peace process while Anderson noted its impact on stabilizing the Horn of Africa region.
The visit marked Anderson’s first to the region since assuming command, signaling continued U.S. engagement in Somalia.
The visit also came as the U.S. military has stepped up drone strikes targeting both al-Shabab and ISIS militants in Somalia.
Despite air and ground operations, al-Shabab continues to carry out deadly attacks on army bases in southern and central Somalia.
For the last three months, the group seized several towns following pre-dawn attacks that began with suicide explosions, followed by gun battles.
Al-Shabab still holds large swaths of rural territory, including the Middle Jubba region, where its top leaders have been based since being driven out of Mogadishu in 2011.
