By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Somalia, Aug. 6 2026 – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met Djibouti's Chief of Defence Staff General Zakaria Cheikh Ibrahim in Mogadishu on Wednesday on the sidelines of an African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) military chiefs’ meeting, Somali and Djiboutian state media reported.
According to Somali National Television (SNTV), General Zakaria and the delegation accompanying him travelled to Mogadishu to participate in the AUSSOM chiefs of defence meeting, which is focusing on strengthening security cooperation, coordinating military operations and accelerating efforts to promote peace and stability in Somalia.
SNTV said Hassan Sheikh and General Zakaria reaffirmed the brotherly ties and defence cooperation between Somalia and Djibouti, with the president thanking the government and people of Djibouti for their contribution to Somalia's security, counterterrorism efforts and the rebuilding of the country's security institutions.
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Djibouti's state news agency, ADI, said the two officials also discussed the need for joint action to address security challenges in the Horn of Africa.
According to ADI, Hassan Sheikh expressed appreciation for Djibouti's continued support for Somalia and its role in stabilisation efforts.
The meeting came as military chiefs and defence experts from AUSSOM troop-contributing countries gathered in Mogadishu to review the mission's security priorities, coordinate joint operations and discuss support for Somalia's transition toward greater responsibility for its own security.