Meeting with the President of Somalia
Statement following the meeting between Prime Minister David Cameron and the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
A Downing Street spokesman said:
The Prime Minister today welcomed the Somali President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, to Downing Street. The Prime Minister reiterated his commitment to helping the Somali people create a secure and stable country after two decades of conflict.
The Prime Minister congratulated the President on the improved security situation in Somalia. However, both agreed that challenges remained and further work was needed to consolidate liberated areas, squeeze out the Shabaab, and combat recruitment by extremist groups.
They discussed their priorities for the upcoming Somalia Conference, which they will co-host in London on the 7th May, and agreed that security would remain the number one priority. The Prime Minister also raised his intention to use the UK’s presidency of the G8 this year to reinforce further progress, with the aim of helping the President deliver real solutions on the ground.
They also agreed on the important role played by the Somali diaspora in the UK and that their engagement at the upcoming Somalia conference would be crucial.