Somali President meets Trump in Saudi Arabia

ESAT News (May 23, 2017)

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo met with U.S President Donald Trump in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh following the conclusion of the US-Arab-Muslim conference, Somali Presidential Communications officer confirms to local media.

Somali Presidential Communications officer, Abdinur Mohamed was quoted as saying the two presidents talked on security collaboration between Somalia and the United States of America, where President Farmajo highlighted the need for strong U.S support to defeat the militant group Al-Shabab that is battling the government and the African Union forces, reports Dalsan radio.

“We are in war on terror and we need international assistance as Somalia alone cannot defeat the terror groups.”Mr. Mohamed said during a media briefing in Riyadh. He said the U.S administration promised 100% backing for the security of the Horn of Africa nation and rebuild the country’s national forces.

The Riyadh meeting was the first face-to-face talk between Donald Trump and Farmajo and came one month after U.S president increased the number of U.S Special Forces operating in Somalia, the report said.