Kismayo (SD) – President of Jubbaland State Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe) met today with the Commander of the African Union Mission (AFRICOM), General Stephen Townsend in Kismayo.

The president and the commander discussed ways to work together in fighting Al-Shabaab, which currently controls regions in Jubbaland, including the administration’s official capital, Buale.

“The President of Jubaland, Ahmed Mohamed Islam, met with the Commander of the United States Mission in Africom, General Stephen Townsend, who is on a visit to Jubaland. They discussed how to work together in the fight against terrorism and how the United States can play a more active role in defeating terrorist that poses a threat to the Somali people,” said an statement posted on the Jubbaland President’s Facebook page.

Stephen Townsend was accompanied by other US military officials on his trip to Kismayo.

On May 4, Ahmed Madobe met with other US AFRICOM officials in Kismayo, and Jubaland announced that the meeting focused on co-operation in the fight against al-Shabaab.