Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is hosting regional leaders in Mogadishu to discuss his country’s security situation.
Leaders from Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti are in Mogadishu for the Somalia Frontline States Summit.
The summit brings together states that share a common border with the Horn of Africa nation.
President William Ruto, his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed and Djibouti’s Ismail Gulleh will be hosted by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu for a one-day extraordinary Summit to discuss the Al Shabaab menace.
During the summit, the leaders will discuss ways of strengthening partnerships in the fight against international terrorism.
On Tuesday, Army commanders and defence ministers from the five countries met in Mogadishu ahead of the Head of States meeting.
The Kenyan team was led by Chief of Defence Forces Gen Robert Kibochi .
The Defense Ministers are from Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, and other troops contributing nations to Somalia like Uganda and Burundi, who have been integral in the peace-building process in the region.
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Mogadishu has launched a sustained manhunt of Shabaab remnants through the Somali National Army with the help of US Africa Command and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS]
Statistics from the Somalia government show that over 500 al Shabaab militants have died in a government led offensive in the recent months.
The government has so far closed over 200 bank accounts and 70 mobile phone firms responsible for helping the terrorists do monetary transactions.
Kenya and Ethiopia have a combined force of 8,000 soldiers in Somalia.
