MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s new Defence Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi met with U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) chief General Michael Langley and U.S. Ambassador Richard H. Riley at the Halane military base in Mogadishu on Tuesday, in a high-level bid to reset strained security relations between Washington and Mogadishu.
The talks focused on addressing longstanding ambiguities in bilateral defence cooperation as the United States increasingly shifts its counterterrorism focus to northern Somalia, raising concerns in Mogadishu over declining U.S. engagement in the insurgent-plagued south.
Fiqi was accompanied by Somali army chief General Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, who recently came under scrutiny after government forces withdrew from the strategic town of Adan Yabal following a deadly Al-Shabaab attack that left dozens of soldiers dead. The meeting comes at a critical juncture as Somalia’s military campaign against the al Qaeda-linked group has suffered serious setbacks, reversing hard-won gains from the past three years.
Fiqi’s appointment followed the dismissal of his predecessor, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, whose tenure was marred by allegations of corruption, internal rifts, and perceived alignment with Turkey. Nur’s strained relations with U.S. officials reportedly undermined Washington’s confidence in Mogadishu’s commitment to joint counterterrorism efforts, prompting pressure on President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to install new leadership.
Despite lacking a background in defence affairs, Fiqi is seen by as a stabilizing figure capable of restoring trust and coherence in Somalia’s security institutions. His diplomatic ties with key Arab states, particularly Egypt, align with President Mohamud’s broader foreign policy orientation, though his strained past relations with Ethiopia could complicate regional dynamics.
U.S. and Somali officials did not disclose details of the discussions, but sources familiar with the matter said the talks aimed to reaffirm American military support in southern Somalia and to lay the groundwork for renewed cooperation in intelligence sharing and joint operations against Al-Shabaab.
Whether Fiqi can implement the sweeping reforms needed to revitalize a faltering counter-insurgency effort remains to be seen. However, his diplomatic engagement with the U.S. appears to mark a strategic pivot aimed at securing continued Western support amid deepening security challenges.
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