President Ruto in Somalia to discuss fight against Al Shabaab
President William Ruto has jetted to Somalia for a joint Heads of State and government summit held by the country’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamed.
Ethiopian President Abiy Ahmed and Djibouti’s Ismail Gulleh are also in Mogadishu for the one-day extraordinary Summit to discuss the menace.
The summit focuses on strengthening partnerships in the fight against international terrorism.
Army commanders and defence ministers from the Horn of Africa had earlier held a meeting in Mogadishu, the Somali capital, with the main focus being the ongoing crackdown against the militants.
The Defense Ministers are from Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, and other troops contributing nations to Somalia like Uganda and Burundi, who have been integral in the peace-building process in the region.
The meeting was a pacesetter for the summit for the heads of state and governments of the frontline nations, which are critical in the fight against Al Shabaab.
The meeting starts today with Kenya and Ethiopia expected to be the main participants given their proximity to Somalia.
For the last couple of months, the Somali National Army has been pursuing the militants from several fronts across Somalia, with the help of US Africa Command, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], and local militia, who heeded the call.
