UK Minister of State for Defense James Stephen Heappey has concluded a visit to Somalia and Kenya, where he met with senior leaders and defense officials and discussed the strengthening of regional defense cooperation with the military.
The Minister of State for Defense of the UK met with the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, to assure him of the UK’s commitment to support Somalia’s security in the long term.
He also visited soldiers from the British army who were training security forces in Somalia, and he spoke with the Special Envoy of the Secretary General of the United Nations in charge of the African Union mission in Somalia, ATMIS.
The UK government is working closely with the Federal Government of Somalia in efforts to prevent the Al-Shabaab group, and the minister reiterated the UK’s continued support in dealing with the Al-Shabaab threat.
The Minister of State for Defense of the UK who continues his tour has held meetings with the Kenyan Minister of Defense Aden Barre Duale.
They discussed strengthening defense cooperation, enhancing the capabilities of the Kenyan military and promoting peace in the region through the UK-Kenya Defense Cooperation Agreement.
