Somalia hosts East African summit for 1st time

Bu Mohamed Adam

MOGADISHU, Somalia, (AA) - Heads of state and government from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have arrived in Mogadishu Tuesday.

The Somali capital hosts the regional body’s summit for the first time since it was established in 1986.

“Heads of state and government arrived in #Mogadishu to attend the #IGAD summit. Somalia is moving forward,” tweeted the Foreign Ministry Tuesday

The summit kicked off Tuesday with the attendance of the seven member states: Somalia, Sudan, Kenya, Djibouti, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda.

"This is a great moment for Somalia. Hosting such a high-profile summit is a clear indication of recognition from the region and the international community to the progress the country has been making towards building a new Somalia, after more than two decades of civil war. I thank the people of Somalia for their commitment to ensure our country regains its reputation in the international arena’’, said Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

Somali president spokesman Daud Awies told reporters that the summit will discuss the crisis of South Sudan, the ongoing preparations of the Somalia elections.

Security in Mogadishu has been tightened, namely for fear of attacks from the al-Qaeda offshoot al-Shabaab, who have been extremely active in the region.