Somalia beefs up security ahead of East Africa summit
                 Source: Xinhua | 2016-09-11 19:19:58 | Editor: huaxia

Somali Navy marines take part in the 51st anniversary celebrations of the Somalia Navy in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, Feb. 10, 2016. (Xinhua/Faisal Isse)

MOGADISHU, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Security has been beefed up in Mogadishu and its environs ahead of the regional summit to be held on on Sept. 13.

Leaders from the eight members of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) bloc - Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda - are expected to attend the summit.

Somali Navy Forces keep guard at the seashore of the Mogadishu Port in Somalia, Feb. 10, 2016. (Xinhua/ Faisal Isse)

The summit is expected to focus on political and security progress made in Somalia and the forthcoming in-direct elections planed for September and October. The summit will also focus on ways to bring an end to the conflict in South Sudan.

Although the Al-Qaida allied militant group, Al-Shabaab had been forced out of Mogadishu, it is still carrying out attacks on government, and public places including the Africa Union bases.

File photo shows Somali security forces keep guard around the presidential palace in Mogadishu, Somalia, Feb. 26, 2015. (Xinhua/Stringer)

Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Omar Hadliye said the meeting will be the first of IGAD Heads of States and Government to be held in Somali capital Mogadishu after more than two decades of conflict.

"IGAD Summit will take place in Mogadishu on Sept. 13. It is great opportunity for Somalia to host such meeting because the country has never hosted international level meetings since 1974, and AU head of States had a summit in Mogadishu at that time," Hadliye said earlier.

File photo shows Somali soldiers beef up security during the 43rd anniversary for the Somali language in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, Feb. 21, 2015. (Xinhua/Faisal Isse)

The minister however decried security concerns citing Al-Shabaab terrorist group which has been fighting to topple the Western-backed government.

He said heavy security is underway to enhance the security, seal all loopholes and make sure the significant summit takes place successful.

About 22,000 strong force from the African Union are mandated to assist the Somali government in fighting Al-Shabaab terrorists, providing security for the country's important establishments in an effort to bring back to stability.

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Somalia beefs up security ahead of East Africa summit

Source: Xinhua 2016-09-11 19:19:58

Somali Navy marines take part in the 51st anniversary celebrations of the Somalia Navy in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, Feb. 10, 2016. (Xinhua/Faisal Isse)

MOGADISHU, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Security has been beefed up in Mogadishu and its environs ahead of the regional summit to be held on on Sept. 13.

Leaders from the eight members of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) bloc - Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda - are expected to attend the summit.

Somali Navy Forces keep guard at the seashore of the Mogadishu Port in Somalia, Feb. 10, 2016. (Xinhua/ Faisal Isse)

The summit is expected to focus on political and security progress made in Somalia and the forthcoming in-direct elections planed for September and October. The summit will also focus on ways to bring an end to the conflict in South Sudan.

Although the Al-Qaida allied militant group, Al-Shabaab had been forced out of Mogadishu, it is still carrying out attacks on government, and public places including the Africa Union bases.

File photo shows Somali security forces keep guard around the presidential palace in Mogadishu, Somalia, Feb. 26, 2015. (Xinhua/Stringer)

Somali Foreign Minister Abdisalam Omar Hadliye said the meeting will be the first of IGAD Heads of States and Government to be held in Somali capital Mogadishu after more than two decades of conflict.

"IGAD Summit will take place in Mogadishu on Sept. 13. It is great opportunity for Somalia to host such meeting because the country has never hosted international level meetings since 1974, and AU head of States had a summit in Mogadishu at that time," Hadliye said earlier.

File photo shows Somali soldiers beef up security during the 43rd anniversary for the Somali language in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia, Feb. 21, 2015. (Xinhua/Faisal Isse)

The minister however decried security concerns citing Al-Shabaab terrorist group which has been fighting to topple the Western-backed government.

He said heavy security is underway to enhance the security, seal all loopholes and make sure the significant summit takes place successful.

About 22,000 strong force from the African Union are mandated to assist the Somali government in fighting Al-Shabaab terrorists, providing security for the country's important establishments in an effort to bring back to stability.

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