Somalia received a strong show of support from key international players at the sixth Somalia Quint meeting held in London on April 30th, 2024. Representatives from Qatar, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States met with Somali officials to discuss a range of issues critical to the country’s stability.
The Quint partners acknowledged ongoing regional tensions in the Horn of Africa and urged for de-escalation and dialogue. They reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and its efforts to achieve lasting peace and security.
Discussions focused on progress made in constitutional reform and the upcoming National Consultative Council, highlighting the importance of an inclusive political process. The partners further pledged their support for the FGS’s ambitious security agenda. Collaborations to enhance Somalia’s security sector through increased information sharing were a key point of discussion. Additionally, the partners expressed strong backing for the Security Sector Development Plan presented by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in December 2023. Priority areas like training and sustainability for Somali security forces were identified.
The meeting also addressed the crucial topic of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) transition. While acknowledging the mission’s vital role, the partners welcomed plans for a more streamlined, focused mission to support Somalia’s growing security responsibility. Countering the terrorist group al-Shabaab remained a top priority. The partners recognized the challenges in funding this new mission and pledged to aid Somalia in securing the necessary resources. They also emphasized the significance of strengthened collaboration between the FGS and Federal Member States for mission success.
The Quint partners commended progress made in the Somali National Army’s offensive against al-Shabaab. However, they stressed the importance of effective stabilization strategies and security arrangements to safeguard gains and further weaken the group. Disrupting al-Shabaab’s recruitment, extortion activities, and access to weaponry and extremist messaging were identified as critical areas of focus. The partners pledged their support for a robust and coordinated national security architecture in Somalia, including the National Operations Centre.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to reconvene for a seventh Somalia Quint meeting in Washington D.C.
