Italy’s Defence Minister in Mogadishu on unannounced visit

General Odowa Yusuf Rage, the Chief of Somali Armed Forces received Guerini upon his arrival at the Mogadishu Airport in the absence of the country's Defense Minister, Hassan Hussein Haji.

News Keydmedia Online
23 March 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Italy's Defense Minister, Lorenzo Guerini has arrived in Mogadishu on Tuesday for an unannounced visit to meet Somali leaders and troops from his country who are serving under the EU training mission. 

General Odowa Yusuf Rage, the Chief of Somali Armed Forces received Guerini upon his arrival at the Mogadishu Airport in the absence of the country's Defense Minister, Hassan Hussein Haji.

During his stay in the country, he is expected to meet the outgoing President, Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, and caretaker PM, Mohamed Hussein Rooble to discuss the bilateral ties between the two nations, mainly cooperation in the military field. 

Italy is among the members of the European Union providing military training to the country's armed forces as part of the efforts to rebuild the Somali army and help them fight against Al-Shabaab.

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