MOGADISHU (SD) – Russian president Vladimir Putin has welcomed Somalia’s efforts to fight terror groups including al-Shabaab and ISIS in the horn of African nation. 

Speaking at a ceremony to present credentials to ambassadors including a new ambassador from Somalia, Putin lauded lauded efforts of Somalia’s authorities to fight terrorism and extremism.

“Your government (Somalia) is taking active steps to strengthen the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, fighting terrorism and extremism, and seeking to create conditions for socio-economic revival,” Putin said. “And we certainly wish that all these efforts will be crowned with success.”

The relation between Somalia and Russia has been low since the fall of Somalia’s central government led by late Mohamed Siyad Barre.

Russia closed its embassy in Mogadishu in 1990 after Somalia plunged into anarchy.