Somalia, Eritrea agree to enhance security cooperation

President Isaias and President Hassan Sheikh further agreed that Eritrea and Somalia would work in concert to foster peace, stability, cooperation, and regional economic integration in the Horn of Africa.

News Keydmedia Online
12 July 2022

ASMARA, Eritrea - Somalia and Eritrea have agreed to further bolster cooperation in security and defence areas between the two countries following Hassan Sheikh's four-day visit to Asmara.

The President of Eritrea Isaias Afwerki and his Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh held extensive talks focusing on bilateral relations as well as regional matters, according to the statement.

Based on their convergent views, the two leaders agreed to bolster political, diplomatic, security, economic, social, and cultural cooperation between Eritrea and Somalia, two AU member states.

The Somali president's trip has centred on a visit to five thousand soldiers trained in Eritrea, who were stuck in the camps and awaited for return back to their country for three years.

During his stay, Hassan Sheikh toured development projects in the Southern and Red Sea Regions of Eritrea with a particular focus on water security and management, agriculture, dairy production, green energy, and infrastructural development.

A highlight of President Hassan Sheikh’s stay was his visit to the members of the National Army of Somalia who have been undertaking military training in Eritrea," said the joint communique.

In his address to the trainees, he congratulated them on their training, apprised them of Somalia’s huge potential and key priorities and expressed his confidence that they will make a significant contribution to the peace, security, and development of their nation.

The two leaders further agreed that Eritrea and Somalia would work in concert to foster peace, stability, cooperation, and regional economic integration in the Horn of Africa.

At the conclusion of the visit, the two leaders signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Eritrea and Somalia.

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