AFRICOM chief urges Somalia to take leading role in fight against Al-Shabaab to sustain U.S. support

MOGADISHU — The commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), General Dagvin Anderson, has said Washington is not abandoning Somalia but wants the Somali government to take greater responsibility for securing the country and leading the fight against terrorism.

Anderson delivered the message during his visit to Mogadishu this week, saying the United States wanted to see Somalia “step up” and take a stronger leadership role in its own security efforts.

“The United States is not leaving Somalia, but we want to see Somalia take more responsibility for its own security,” Anderson said in an interview with a Somali journalist.

The AFRICOM commander also warned that political instability and internal divisions could undermine continued US engagement in the country.

“If we can’t see that… political instability and infighting continues, then it is going to be very hard for us to continue to stay engaged,” he said.

Anderson’s remarks come as Somalia faces persistent security and political challenges, with government forces and international partners continuing operations against Al-Shabaab militants.

The United States has been one of Somalia’s key security partners for years, providing military training, intelligence support and airstrikes targeting armed groups, including Al-Shabaab and Islamic State militants in Somalia.

GAROWE ONLINE