Somalia: Puntland State President Hosts US Delegation After Mogadishu Talks Collapse
The delegation was headed by Justin Davis and included U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) officers, among them Col. Shane Jones, who commands U.S. special operations activities in Africa, according to a statement from the Puntland State presidency.
AXADLE, Somalia — Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni on Wednesday hosted a senior United States delegation in Garowe for talks centered on Somalia’s political transition, security cooperation, and investment prospects in the northeastern federal state, officials said.
The delegation was headed by Justin Davis and included U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) officers, among them Col. Shane Jones, who commands U.S. special operations activities in Africa, according to a statement from the Puntland State presidency.
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Deni, joined by Puntland State Vice President Ilyas Osman Lugator, reviewed the political and security landscape in Somalia, with particular focus on what officials described as the country’s continuing transition and Puntland State’s place in that process.
The discussions also covered ways to deepen Puntland State-U.S. cooperation in security, investment, and the development of natural resources, especially minerals, fisheries, and oil exploration, the statement said.
During the meeting, the U.S. delegation praised Puntland State security forces for their ongoing operations against militant groups in the Calmiskaad mountains and welcomed what it described as growing stability and development across the semi-autonomous region.
Davis also reiterated Washington’s support for Puntland State in areas including security sector assistance, public service delivery, and economic development, Puntland State officials said. The meeting was attended by senior Puntland State cabinet members, presidential advisers, and other presidency officials.
The visit came only days after political consultations in Mogadishu between the Federal Government of Somalia and opposition figures collapsed without agreement on major national questions, including the country’s transition process and electoral framework.
That failure has deepened concerns among domestic actors and international partners about political unity and the pace of Somalia’s state-building effort.
AXADLETM
