The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, together with the President of Eritrea, Mr. Isaias Afwerki, today inspected the training camp of the Somali Air Force in Eritrea.
The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Mr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who visited the country in July this year, asked the Eritrean government to train some of the troops in the air force, and thanked the Eritrean government for its role in building the Somali army.
The President of the Republic who received an honorable greeting from the units of the first batch of the Armed Forces, especially the Air Force, listened to reports from some of the army officers, who shared with the President that they are ready for their role in the fight against terrorism to liberate the country and rebuilding the government.
President Hassan Sheikh briefed the troops in training on the situation in the country and the achievements of the armed forces and the Somali people. waiting to tolerate terrorism that threatens life and development.
The President together with the President of the country of Eritrea Mr. Isaias Afwerki inspected the units of the Somali National Army who are training in the country. The President greeted these specially trained units, and observed their living conditions, while listening to reports from some of the officers and soldiers who thanked President Hassan Sheikh for his visit.
The President of the Republic who spoke to the army informed about the government’s plan to secure the general security of the country and liberate the areas where Al-Shabaab terrorists are hiding, who are enemies to the development and governance of the Somali people.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has confirmed the fulfillment of his promise to return the Somali army in Eritrea, noting how the Somali people are happy with their army while the terrorist enemies are shocked by their appearance. President Hassan Sheikh also thanked the Government of Eritrea for the training of these forces that will contribute to the stabilization of Somalia.
On the other hand, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud together with his Eritrean counterpart Mr. Isaias Afwerki visited places in the country where development projects are underway.
The  Controversial Army
Somalia’s army trainees in Eritrea appeared for the first time in public, three years after a scandal emerged about their recruitment. The soldiers were photographed at a parade on Saturday with new President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, who is touring Eritrea on a four-day trip laden with political significance.
President Mohamud is in Asmara for talks with his counterpart Isias Afawerki. The two were seen at the training ground of thousands of Somali youth recruited under the administration of his predecessor President Mohamed Farmaajo for training in Eritrea.
When President Mohamud returned to the presidency in May, there were questions on how the two countries would relate, following claims the Somalia troops had taken part in the Ethiopian war against Tigray rebels alongside Eritrean soldiers. Both Asmara and Mogadishu have rejected the allegations.
Some Reports indicate that about 5,000 cadets were taken to Eritrea for military training three years ago. However, their stay in Eritrea had become a bone of contention for Mr Farmaajo’s government when politicians, especially the opposition, said that parents were lamenting that their sons were missing.
The parents staged protests in Mogadishu saying Somalia’s federal government recruited their sons for jobs in Qatar, only for them to surface in Eritrea, where they were sent for military training against their will.
About Author
