Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III poses for a photo with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud before a meeting at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., June 21, 2023. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitzaca)
By Gary Raynaldo – DIPLOMATIC TIMES
WASHINGTON DC – U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the Pentagon Wednesday to discuss opportunities for continued military cooperation in the fight against terror group al-Shabaab. Both leaders agreed that international coordination and support will be needed as the Federal Government of Somalia prepares for the drawdown of African Union forces and security transition, according to the Pentagon. The AU Transition Mission has started to reduce troop numbers in Somalia in line with UN resolutions which mandate a drawdown of 2,000 soldiers by the end of June 2023. The U.S. Defense Secretary expressed the Pentagon’s intent to work with the Somali government to coordinate with allies and partners in Somalia on shared interests, including countering al-Shabaab. Austin said his meeting with Sheikh Mohamud this week comes at a key moment of his presidency as the Horn of Africa nation prepares for the first phase of the drawdown of AU forces. The Jihadists have reportedly stepped up attacks in the country this week as AU forces depart.
“This period will be especially important, given the ongoing hostilities in the region, including instability in Sudan and the persistent threat of Al-Shabaab. I’ve been encouraged to hear of the continued success of the current phase of the Somali-led operation against Al-Shabaab in central Somalia. Our cooperation on these operations is crucial and we stand ready as your partner as you defend yourselves against these dangerous and violent forces. “
-U.S. Defense Secretary Austin
Somali President ‘Thankful’ For America’s Aid and Support
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III poses for a photo with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud after a meeting at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., June 21, 2023. (DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Alexander Kubitzaca)
Mohamud thanked Austin for America’s aid and support going back more than three decades.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to the United States government for the assistance to the Somali people in our fight against al-Shabaab. We recognize the defeating of Al-Shabaab requires more than capable and effective security forces. The Somali National Army has recovered more than 70 locations from Al-Shabaab, in partnership with local communities over the last year. Over the last six months, the government and its international partners have over 240 stabilization activities in the two states liberated from Al-Shabaab.
–Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud
U.S. AFRICOM Commander Gen. Langley Visits SOMALIA To Discuss al-Shabaab
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, commander, U.S. Africa Command (left) meets with Somalian President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu during visit to Somalia June 13-14, 2023. (Credit: africom.mil)
Meanwhile, Marine Corps Gen. Michael Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command, visited Somalia June 13-14 to discuss military operations including the “shared fight” against al Shabaab. While in Somalia capital city Mogadishu, Langley met with President Sheikh Mohamud, Somalia Minister of Defense, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, senior State Department and defense officials, and African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). In Kismayo, Langley met with the Jubaland Federal Member State President Ahmed Madobe, and Danab leadership, as well as U.S. troops to witness ongoing training efforts, and see ongoing operations firsthand, AFRICOM said in a statement.
U.S. Senate Pressured Pentagon To Re-Deploy Troops To SOMALIA To Battle Al-Shabaab
Last year, ranking Republican member of the Senate Armed Armed Services Committee Sen. Jim Inhofe called on the Pentagon to consider re-deploying U.S. troops to Somalia to counter the sharp rise in extremist activity by al Qaeda-linked Al Shabaab terrorist group. US President Donald Trump ordered the withdrawal of nearly all US troops from Somalia during his final days in office. The US had about 700 troops in the country helping local forces battle al-Shabab and Islamic State militants.
“I opposed the last administration’s decision to pull nearly all of our troops out of Somalia and move them to Djibouti and Kenya and pursue an over the horizon counter-terrorism strategy that increases risk and decreases our effectiveness. We’re seeing this play out on the ground in Somalia as things get worse and Al Shabab gains in strength.”
Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.)
