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Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has met with the newly appointed African Union envoy, Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Diene, to discuss ways to boost cooperation in Somalia’s ongoing fight against terrorism and efforts to strengthen national security.
Ambassador Diene, who is now the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia and Head of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), was welcomed by the Prime Minister in Mogadishu. He was accompanied by AUSSOM Deputy Head, Mouktar Ousman Karie.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Hamza briefed the AU delegation on the progress Somalia is making in its military campaign against the al-Shabaab militant group. He emphasized that the government remains committed to fully defeating the group and restoring peace and order across the country.
“We are making steady progress in liberating areas from terrorist control,” said the Prime Minister. He stressed that the Somali government is focused on completing the Somali-led security transition and restoring full control to national institutions.
Prime Minister Hamza also thanked the African Union for its continued support, particularly through the AUSSOM mission, which was formerly known as AMISOM. He noted that AUSSOM has played a vital role in maintaining peace, training Somali forces, and helping the federal government build stronger institutions.
Ambassador Diene, in turn, thanked the Prime Minister for the warm welcome. He praised the strength and determination of the Somali people and government in the face of challenges. He also reaffirmed the African Union’s ongoing support to Somalia during this critical transition period.
“We stand by Somalia as it continues to move forward. AUSSOM is committed to working closely with the Somali government to ensure a smooth and effective handover of security responsibilities to Somali forces,” said Ambassador Diene.
The African Union’s new stabilization mission, AUSSOM, is working in line with Somalia’s national Transition Plan, which outlines the gradual withdrawal of AU forces and the handover of security duties to Somali-led institutions. This plan aims to empower Somali forces to fully manage the country’s defense and governance by the end of 2024.
The meeting between Prime Minister Hamza and Ambassador Diene comes at a crucial time, as Somalia prepares for the next phase of the AU troop drawdown. The transition is a key step in Somalia’s journey toward self-reliance and long-term stability.
Both sides agreed on the importance of continued collaboration and coordination between the Somali government and the African Union. They also highlighted the need for sustained international support to ensure the success of the transition and to maintain the momentum in the fight against terrorism.
As Somalia moves closer to taking full control of its security, the support of regional partners like the African Union remains essential. The meeting ended on a positive note, with both leaders expressing optimism for the future and a shared commitment to a stable and secure Somalia.