Monday 24, March-2025 {HMC} Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with the new Chairperson of the African Union, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, in Mogadishu on Sunday to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing strategic cooperation between Somalia and the continental body.
The meeting focused on regional security, economic development, institutional reform, and Somalia’s ongoing fight against terrorism. President Mohamud praised the African Union’s longstanding support for Somalia, particularly through peacekeeping, state-building, and stabilization efforts.
“The African Union has played a vital role in Somalia’s progress,” President Mohamud said. “We deeply appreciate the courage and sacrifice of AU peacekeepers in our country, and we are committed to strengthening our collaboration.”
Mohamud reiterated Somalia’s determination to eliminate terrorism and thanked regional partners for their continued support in counterterrorism operations.
“Terrorism has no place to hide in Somalia,” the president declared. “It has been rejected by the land and the people. God willing, we will succeed in completely eradicating it. We will not tolerate their plots, looting, and massacre of our people.”
The two leaders also agreed to boost economic cooperation and accelerate government reforms to increase stability and inclusive growth. President Mohamud reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to actively contribute to the African Union reform agenda and share lessons from its own state-building journey with other post-conflict countries on the continent.
Chairperson Youssouf, elected to lead the African Union in February 2025, is a veteran diplomat who previously served as Djibouti’s foreign minister. His appointment, backed by Somalia, is seen as a strategic move to improve AU coordination in the Horn of Africa, especially regarding counterinsurgency operations against al-Shabaab and the reconciliation process among Somalia’s federal member states.
