Somalia: Inside Secretary Blinken's useful call to president Hassan Sheikh

The United States is pleased with the smooth transition in Somalia after over 15 months of internal wrangles, which almost activated the resurgence of Al-Shabaab terrorists, following huge divisions among political elites and security forces.

At one point, members of the Somali National Army [SNA] staged a mutiny after former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo attempted to extend his term, a move which fatally backfired after members of the international community condemned him.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken placed a phone call to Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the newly elected president, in which they discussed a host of issues mainly revolving around problems facing the Horn of Africa nation.

According to Blinken, the discussions centered around security and economic reforms in the country which is struggling for stability. Both security and economic growth have been major concerns for the Horn of Africa country for over three decades.

"Useful call today with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. I congratulated him on his election and affirmed the United States’ support for reconciliation, security, and economic reform efforts in Somalia," Secretary Blinken said.

Somalia is ranked one of the most corrupt countries in the world besides being part of the nations struggling to contain national debt. On the security front, the country has been battling against Al-Shabaab militants who control large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia.

Villa Somalia also maintained that the discussion revolved around strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries, which have been enjoying a cordial relationship for decades now. The US is a major security and financial partner of Somalia.

"President Hassan Mohamud held a telephone conversation with the US Secretary of State Blinken today. The President thanked the US government for its continued support of Somalia. He also reiterated his government's commitment to further strengthening ties with the US, " Villa Somalia tweeted.

The discussion comes almost a week after reports from Pentagon indicated that the US is deploying close to 500 soldiers to the Horn of Africa nation, over a year after withdrawal. The US has been also training Danab Special Forces besides helping combat troops with aerial bombardments in the Al-Shabaab war.

GAROWE ONLINE