On Tuesday the 31st of January 2023, the Somali Federal government invited and commenced a meeting of defense ministers from neighboring countries in the Horn of Africa in what is to be a first-of-its-kind meeting since 2007 when the first African union mission was launched in the country. The main agenda of the meeting is solely to discuss the joint anti-terrorism measures, particularly against the al-Shabaab terrorist group.
In attendance are top military commanders and the defense ministers of Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and the defense minister of Somalia. Wednesday the 1st of February also saw the defense ministers joined by their respective state leaders of these countries: their excellencies president William Samuel Ruto, Prime minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, and Ismail Omar Geele of Djibouti.
This meeting occurs against the backdrop of recent progress made by the federal government hence the reason for the Somali federal government to have invited the above officials to further their efforts in mitigating the existential threat that al-Shabaab possess in the region at large hence the collaborative effort.
The ongoing one-day summit in Somalia will bring neighboring countries that have been dubbed collectively as Somalia’s frontline states on board that have an interest in Somalia’s stability and the region collectively. Somalia’s minister of information commenting on this meeting expressed his hope for a unified strategy among the horn of Africa adding that ‘This meeting is momentous because the current situation of Somalia also affects Somalia’s neighboring countries.’
Furthermore, last week the East African Community began assessing the country’s eligibility to join the East African block which will strengthen Somalia’s bid to improve and further the security with bordering countries. This meeting between the state leaders of the region in the Horn of Africa goes a long way in ensuring Somalia’s entry into the East African community.
Lastly, the defense ministers and the heads of state from the neighboring countries in Mogadishu will discuss ways to counter terrorism in the region, together with the Somali president H.E Hassan Sheikh including furthering the efforts that have been ongoing with the aid of government-backed local tribal militia, thus far ensuring stability in the region.
