U.S. delegation meets Puntland State leaders in Garowe on security, political talks

Thursday May 21, 2026

Garowe (AX) — In a meeting that underscored both security concerns and Somalia’s unsettled politics, a U.S. delegation headed by acting Ambassador to Somalia Justin Davis met Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni in Garowe on Wednesday to discuss cooperation against ISIS and the country’s broader political transition.

According to a statement from the Puntland State presidency, the delegation included officials from U.S. Africa Command, among them Col. Shane Jones. Puntland State Vice President Ilyas Lugatoor also took part in the talks.

The presidency said the discussions centered on Somalia’s security and political landscape, with a particular focus on joint efforts between Puntland State and the United States in operations targeting ISIS-linked militants.

Davis commended Puntland State forces for recent operations in the Al-Khalifa Mountains and for the progress they have made against ISIS, the statement said.

The two sides also explored avenues to deepen cooperation in security, investment and economic development. Puntland State officials said the talks touched on possible collaboration in natural resources, including minerals, fisheries and oil.

In addition, the presidency said the delegation and Puntland State leadership discussed Somalia’s political transition and its implications for the country.

According to the statement, the United States pledged to continue supporting Puntland State, especially in security, social services and economic development. The U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu is expected to issue its own statement on the meeting.

The Garowe meeting came at a time when international partners have voiced concern over the breakdown of recent negotiations between Somalia’s federal government and opposition leaders in Mogadishu.

Those three days of talks, which addressed elections, constitutional changes and the political transition, ended without an agreement. U.S. and British diplomats helped facilitate the discussions.

Deni and former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed represented the opposition side, while President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama spoke for the federal government.

International partners, including the United States and the United Kingdom, have continued to press Somali leaders to return to the negotiating table and strike a political deal on elections and the constitutional dispute.