KISMAYO (SD) – Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Ahmed Madobe) today received U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Richard H. Riley and his accompanying delegation in Kismayo, ahead of a major opposition conference scheduled to be held in the city this month.

President Madobe and Ambassador Riley were reported to have discussed security matters, the overall political situation in the country, Somalia’s state-building progress, and U.S. support for development projects.

A statement issued by the Jubaland presidency noted, “The President of the Jubaland state, H.E. Ahmed Mohamed Islam, today received U.S. Ambassador to Somalia, Richard H. Riley, and the delegation he is leading on an official working visit to Jubaland.”

“During the meeting, which was attended by the Ministers of Interior and Planning & International Relations, the two sides held in-depth discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly regarding security issues, U.S. support for development projects, as well as the general political situation in the country and the progress of Somalia’s state-building process,” the statement added.

The city of Kismayo is scheduled to host a conference this December 10th by the Somali Future Council, which comprises Puntland, Jubaland, and the Alliance of Political Parties. This conference is expected to finalize the council’s structure and deliberate on the decisions they will take regarding the country’s transitional political situation, as outlined in their Nairobi declaration issued last October.