Inside Ismail Omar Guelleh's busy schedule in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh made his first maiden trip to Somalia in as many months, in a visit that triggered lockdowns in sections of Mogadishu, the Somali capital, leading to traffic congestion a gesture of big arrival within the Horn of Africa nation.

Apparently, his trip coincided with that of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar visiting Kenya and her native Somalia as she toured the Horn of Africa. In Somalia, Ms Omar, who just won her third term in Congress last month, held meetings with several leaders including President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

And on President Ismail Omar Guelleh's trip, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and senior members of the cabinet lined up on the red carpet to usher in the visitor who has been friendly to the country even during bad moments. The Djiboutian president touched down almost at midday.

The arrival of Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh led to suspended traffic in the capital city of Somalia along with the closure of businesses and education activities. In some places, such as around The Villa Somalia and the Aden Adde International Airport, pedestrians were not allowed to walk along.

However, this was not the only high-profile trip to Somalia given that in June, dozens of heads of state and governments attended the high-profile inauguration of Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. Somalia held elections in May this year after months of delay due to internal political wrangles.

Ismail Omar Guelleh held talks with Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and cut the ribbon for the InterGovernmental Academy of Somali Language which the two laid the foundation stone in 2015, a historic event marking 50 years since Somali language script was adopted as the official language.

Guelleh speaking along with Mohamud in a joint press conference in Villa Somalia said he is happy to visit Mogadishu and see the ongoing progress and the gains made against Al-Shabaab in the current battle in central and southern parts of the country.

On Thursday, the Djiboutian president will address the Somali Parliament as stated in the notification message sent to the Members of the house. He is going to be the first head of state to address the bicameral legislature in as many years in the country which has been in political, social and security turmoil.

Earlier, he welcomed the progress made in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants following massive gains by the government of Somalia in collaboration with international partners and other stakeholders. The US Africa Command and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS] have been helping the local army.

GAROWE ONLINE