Anti-terrorism tops agenda of Somali FM’s visit to Djibouti

Somalia’s Foreign Minister (FM) Abdisalam Hadliye Omar arrived in Djibouti on Monday for bilateral talks between the two countries.

On the same day, Omar held talks with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh, during which he delivered a message from Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, an official source revealed after the meeting.

The talks between the two leaders focused on the latest developments with regards to the prevailing security situation in Somalia.

Speaking after the meeting, Somalia’s foreign minister said his visit was first and foremost part of the regular bilateral talks on issues of common interest between the two countries, and more particularly on ways to coordinate the fight against terrorism.

He strongly condemned Sunday’s terrorist attack that targeted Jazeera hotel in Mogadishu, the Somali capital.

The attack left 15 people dead, including a Chinese national who was guarding the Chinese Embassy in Somalia.

Omar urged the international community to give more support to his country to fight against terrorism which, according to him, had become a global problem.

“Today, Somalia is not the only country in the region that is affected by terrorism. The whole world is affected and that is why we need the support of the entire international community,” Omar said.

Elsewhere, the Somali official thanked Djibouti, a country that had contributed troops to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), for its “incessant efforts” towards restoration of peace and reconstruction of Somalia.

“When a country sends you its soldiers to protect you, unfailing friendship is created,” he explained, alluding to the two Djiboutian battalions that have been deployed in central Somalia under AMISOM.

Xinhua