Somalia's president asks for support at Arab league summit

FILE: President Hassan Sheikh attending the 31st Arab League summit in the Algerian capital Algiers in Nov 2022.

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia - The Arab League of Nations should invest in supporting Somalia to overcome some of the challenges the country is facing, President Hassan Sheikh has said, maintaining that the country has made tremendous progress in curbing some of the internal challenges including the fight against Al-Shabaab.

At the Arab League of Nations meeting in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Hassan Sheikh asked members to invest in the country, adding that "a lot must be done for us to fill the gaps". "We cannot walk to the destination without your prayers and support which we are in dire need of," he said.

The country, he said, has made progress in the fight against Al-Shabaab, noting that the national army with the help of the US Africa Command, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], and the local militia managed to secure 80 percent of the country from the militants.

Still, he said, the country has activated the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab, which will target Jubaland and Southwest states, thus the need for investment in Somalia. The national army needs adequate preparations before assuming security responsibilities in the country, added the optimistic president.

"We are determined to reach the destiny land and we are almost there," said Hassan Sheikh, who assumed office a few months ago. "I am indebted to your support and I am pretty sure that you'll continue to support us to achieve these important milestones for the people of Somalia and the world."

He lauded the ATMIS team for the support to the country and updated the union about the impending strategic exit of the African Union peacekeepers who have been instrumental in liberating several parts of the country. In June, ATMIS will release the first batch of 2000 soldiers from the country.

The strategic exit is in line with the Somali Transition Plan which was mooted by the AU but the Horn of Africa nation still insists there is more that should be done before the troops leave. There are about 22,000 AU forces in Somalia whose support has been extremely invaluable, he said.

Hassan Sheikh also spoke about debt relief with the country getting approval for $9.4 million from the International Monetary Fund [IMF] this week. Somalia, he said, is in the process of strengthening internal institutions to increase revenue collection for the sake of development and sustainability.

GAROWE ONLINE