Ankara (SOMALI MAGAZINE) Tuesday saw Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visiting the commando training facility in Isparta, Turkey, where Somali soldiers were receiving training as part of a bilateral agreement on military cooperation.
The President was greeted and praised by representatives of the Turkish Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defense for their crucial contribution to the reconstruction of the Somali army.
The President was informed by the center’s instructors and officials on the development of the Somali Special Forces.
President Mohamud thanked the soldiers for their readiness to risk their lives in order to protect their nation and its citizens and informed them of the government’s efforts to rebuild the army and uphold national security.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud stated during a live-streamed speech at Turkey’s Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research that Somalia should engage in negotiations with al-Shabaab rather than relying solely on military action to combat the extremist group.
According to Mohamud, the nation is not currently “in the right situation” to deal with the insurgents with ties to al-Qaeda.
