PM calls for stronger ties with Mogadishu at London Somalia conference

CAIRO – 11 May 2017: Speaking at an international conference on Somali national security on Thursday, Prime Minister Sherif Ismail stressed that the conference aims at supporting Somalia in retrieving its territorial integrity and rebuilding a unified army, according to an official statement by the Egyptian cabinet.

Ismail further emphasized Egypt’s eagerness to support its brotherly countries and enhance bilateral cooperation in all political, economic and developmental fields. He referred to the role of Egyptian institutions and the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development in training qualified Somali cadres.

“Egypt hosted, in the past three years, around 90 trainees in 41 training cycles organized in the fields of defense, police, diplomacy, medicine, agriculture, women empowerment and counterterrorism,” the statement read.

Ismail also emphasized several objectives for the conference, such as supporting the infrastructure of Somalia and the process of national reconciliation, as well as completing the constitutional review process and the new 2020 elections.

The prime minister praised the accomplishment of the presidential and parliamentary elections that took place in Somalia in 2017, despite the serious challenges.

The conference, gathering heads of state and governments from across East Africa and senior figures from international organizations, aims at “accelerating progress on security sector reform, building on the international response to the ongoing drought and humanitarian crisis and agreeing on the new international partnership needed to keep Somalia on course for increased peace and prosperity by 2020,” according to the UK government’s website.

Ismail concluded his speech by expressing his anticipation to achieve a clear vision that the international community can use to support Somalia and achieve stability and development for the Somali people.