The future of United States support for Somalia is contingent upon the country's ability to achieve political stability and take ownership of its security, AFRICOM Commander General Dagvin Anderson has stated.
In an interview shared by the US Embassy in Mogadishu, General Anderson emphasized that sustained American assistance hinges on Somalia's leaders stepping up to lead security and governance efforts. He warned that continued political infighting could jeopardize this partnership.
Key points from General Anderson’s remarks include:
- US commitment remains strong but conditional on Somalia demonstrating political will and stability.
- The elite Danab commando force, established with US support, is one of Africa’s most capable units and must be maintained by Somali authorities.
- Long-term security depends on Somalia reducing reliance on international partners and strengthening governance to foster investment and economic growth.
"If Somalia steps up and takes the lead, we will continue to be there because there is mutual interest," Anderson said. However, he cautioned that persistent political instability would make ongoing engagement difficult.
The comments come amid heightened political tensions related to Somalia’s electoral process and ongoing counterterrorism efforts against Al-Shabaab, which despite setbacks, continues to carry out attacks within the country.
General Anderson reiterated that the United States has not abandoned Somalia and remains invested in helping the country build lasting security after years of collaboration with Somali forces.
