Mogadishu(Mogadishu24)-U.S. Ambassador to Somalia, Richard H. Riley, on Tuesday met with Somalia’s Minister of Defense, H.E. Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, to discuss their shared goal of defeating the terrorist group al-Shabaab. The meeting focused on the importance of building strong defense institutions as a foundation for improving national security.

“Our commitment to supporting Somalia’s efforts to improve security is unwavering. Building strong defense institutions is the best path for sustained improvements to national security,” Ambassador Riley emphasized during the discussions.

This meeting underscores the ongoing partnership between the United States and Somalia in the fight against terrorism. The U.S. has been a key ally in providing support and resources to strengthen Somalia’s defense capabilities.

Minister Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur expressed gratitude for the continued support from the U.S. and highlighted the progress made in enhancing the country’s defense infrastructure and capabilities.

“Had a very productive meeting with the new US Ambassador to Somalia Hon. Richard H. Riley. Our discussions mainly focused on the fight against Al Shabaab, the ongoing ATMIS Drawdown, and Institutional Building for the Somalia National Army. Looking forward to continuing the already existing stronger cooperations between our two nations”, Nur said on X.

The discussions mark another step in the collaborative efforts to bring stability and security to Somalia, emphasizing the critical role of robust defense institutions in achieving long-term national security goals.