Washington (HAN) June 11, 2015 – Public Diplomacy and Regional Security News. The US Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work hosted the Somali prime minister and defense minister in their first meeting at the Pentagon.
In a statement summarizing the meeting, Defense Department officials said Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke and Defense Minister General Abdulkadir Sheikh Ali Dini met with Work to discuss the importance of U.S.-Somali security assistance and counter-terrorism operations in Somalia.
Work praised the success of Somali forces in degrading the al-Shabab militant group in the past two years, officials said.
Taking the Fight to Al-Shabaab: The leaders discussed how taking the fight to al-Shabab requires integrating regional militia forces into the Somali National Army deliberately, but without delay, officials said. The leaders also discussed successes of the Danab companies, which could serve as a good model for the rest of the Somali army, they added.
Work underscored the Defense Department’s strong commitment to supporting both the African Union Mission in Somalia and the development of Somali security forces, the statement said.
“The deputy secretary noted it is imperative that Somalia completes the state formation process in advance of holding elections next year, in line with the agreed timeline,” the statement said. “Progress on the political front is a necessary foundation for the development of Somali security forces.”
The leaders said they look forward to working together well into the future, the statement said.
Sources: DoD News, Defense Media Activity
Photo: Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work, left center, meets with Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke, right center, and Somali Defense Minister Gen. Abdulkadir Sheikh Ali Dini at the Pentagon, June 9, 2015. The leaders met to discuss issues of mutual importance. DoD photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Clydell Kinchen
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