UK Secretary of State for Defence first visit to Somalia

UK Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson visited Mogadishu yesterday, to reaffirm the UK’s commitment for supporting Somalia to deliver real change on security, politics and the economy for the benefit of all Somalis.

The Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has landed in Nairobi, Kenya with a packed schedule two days ago for his first visit to Africa and his first time on the continent.

UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson had a meeting with the Somalia Minister of defence Hassan Ali Mohamed and Chief of Defense forces Gen. Abdiweli Gorod in Mogadishu to discuss Somali priorities for rebuilding accountable, capable state security forces.

Gavin Williamson also discussed how UK and AMISOM Somalia can help deliver the Somali Transition Plan with the Deputy  Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission(SRCC)and Force Commander Lt. Gen Owoyesigire.

He underlined the critical role AMISOM plays in helping Somalia take responsibility for its security and reiterated UK support.

Building and maintaining relationships has been the main focus of the Defence Secretary on this trip to the continent.

The Defence Secretary made no secret of the fact he wants British influence in this area to spread further across the continent.

Goobjoog News