MOGADISHU [SMN] – Kenyan President William Ruto arrived in Mogadishu on Wednesday ahead of the opening of the frontline-state summit which aimed to focus on the Al-Shabaab menace.
Somali president Hassan Mohamud is hosting the leaders of Kenya, Djibouti, and Ethiopia in the capital for a one-day meeting as part of efforts to strengthen regional security cooperation and fight against Al-Shabaab.
Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Ahmed and Ismail Guelleh of Djibouti in the event that will see the four Heads of State discuss among other issues the rising threat of Al-Shabaab.
On Tuesday, defense ministers and chiefs of defense forces of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti met in Mogadishu to pave the way for the heads of state summit.
Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti are collectively referred to as Somalia’s frontline states with direct borders and they are both members contributing troops to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).
Since taking office in May last year, President Hassan Mohamud launched a major offensive against the Shabaab that has seen parts of Somalia liberated from the hands of the group.
US military backs Somalia in the fight against Al-Shabaab as its drones are hitting the militant hideouts to weaken their capability and make SNA easier for the re-liberation.
