By Horn Africa News
ADDIS ABABA – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held high-level discussions with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Kenyan President William Ruto on the sidelines of the 2nd Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa. The talks focused on regional security, counter-terrorism, and economic cooperation.
The leaders exchanged views on strengthening joint efforts against al-Shabaab militants, who remain the primary security threat in Somalia and across the wider Horn of Africa. President Mohamud stressed that cooperation among Somalia and its neighbors is essential to defeating extremist groups that continue to destabilize the region.
“Peace and security in the Horn of Africa cannot be achieved in isolation. Somalia’s partnership with Djibouti and Kenya is key to building stability and prosperity,” President Mohamud said, according to a statement from his office.
Djibouti and Kenya are both troop-contributing countries to The African Union Stabilization Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), which supports Somali forces in the fight against al-Shabaab. Both nations have also hosted Somali refugees for decades and maintain strong economic ties with Mogadishu.
The meetings come as Somalia advances security sector reforms and prepares for the gradual handover of security responsibilities from African Union forces to the Somali National Army. Presidents Ruto and Guelleh reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to supporting Somalia’s stabilization and reconstruction efforts.
Analysts suggest that stronger regional cooperation could also open the door to deeper economic integration in the Horn of Africa, a region long challenged by insecurity and political instability.
