Thursday 21 May 2026 {HMC}A U.S. delegation led by acting Ambassador to Somalia Justin Davis met Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni in Garowe on Wednesday for talks on security cooperation, the fight against ISIS and Somalia’s political transition.
The delegation included U.S. Africa Command officials, among them Col. Shane Jones, according to a statement from the Puntland presidency. Puntland Vice President Ilyas Lugatoor also attended the meeting.
The Puntland presidency said the talks focused on Somalia’s security and political situation, with particular attention to cooperation between Puntland and the United States in operations against ISIS-linked militants.
Davis praised Puntland forces for recent operations in the Al-Khalifa Mountains and for gains made against ISIS, the Puntland statement said.
The meeting also covered ways to strengthen ties in security, investment and economic development. Puntland officials said they discussed possible cooperation in natural resources, including minerals, fisheries and oil.
The Puntland presidency said the two sides also discussed Somalia’s political transition and its impact on the country.
The United States pledged continued support to Puntland, particularly in security, social services and economic development, according to the statement. The U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu is expected to release its own statement on the meeting.
The Garowe talks came as international partners expressed concern over the collapse of recent negotiations between Somalia’s federal government and opposition leaders in Mogadishu.
The three days of talks focused on elections, constitutional changes and the political transition but ended without agreement. U.S. and British diplomats were involved in facilitating 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 represented the federal government.
International partners, including the United States and the United Kingdom, have continued to urge Somali leaders to resume dialogue and reach a political agreement on elections and the constitutional dispute.
Source Hiiraan Online
