Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi “Irro” has held talks with Major General Claude K. Tudor Jr., commander of US Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAFRICA), and a delegation he led.
The meeting focused on strengthening security cooperation and discussing shared strategic interests between Somaliland and the United States, particularly security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and stability across the Horn of Africa.
President Irro thanked Major General Tudor and his delegation for visiting Somaliland, saying the meeting reflected the importance of cooperation on security matters.
During the talks, Mr Irro highlighted Somaliland’s more than 850km (528 miles) of coastline along key waterways connecting the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab and the Gulf of Aden.
He said protecting the security of these coastal areas was an important part of maintaining regional and international security.
The Somaliland leader also said the territory had enjoyed more than 35 years of peace and stability and had functioning government institutions and a democratic political system.
He said Somaliland was ready to further strengthen cooperation with the US military and security agencies to jointly counter terrorism, piracy, organised crime and other threats affecting peace and security in the region.
Major General Tudor, for his part, said the United States and Somaliland shared important security interests both on land and at sea.
He said stability in the Horn of Africa and the security of international maritime routes were priorities of significant interest to both sides.
/HM
