Somalia Hosts IGAD 53rd Council of Ministers General Meeting.
IGAD, the organization for Intergovernmental Authority on Development in Africa founded in 1996, have their 53rd official meeting in Mogadishu, Somalia to discuss the progress of the organization and the priority areas, particularly the structure of peace and security in Somalia.
Foreign ministers and representatives from other African countries all arrived at Aden-Adde Mogadishu airport and security preparations were already in place, to counter possible attacks by Al-Shabaab. Security officials were aware that such a high profile meeting could be a potential target following the Christmas day attack on Halane base, a few weeks ago.
African Union Peace keepers and Somali National Security Forces were on their highest alert for the meeting last Saturday. Some roads were closed to respond to any threat.
It is the second time that the IGAD council ministers meeting had been held in Mogadishu since 1985; however, it will be the biggest historic event in Somalia after the collapse of central government in 1991 in which the country turned into one the world’s most difficult and dangerous places to travel to.
Somali Foreign and International cooperation Minister Dr. Abdirahman Beileh welcomed the ministers and their delegations at Aden Ade International Airport in Mogadishu on Friday.
Somali President, H.E. Hassan Sh. Mohamud said prior the conference “It is a great honor for the Somali government and people for this meeting to happen in the capital Mogadishu, our people must keep patient for the short-term roads closure because of the security reasons of the important meeting.”
The president was expected to address the meeting.
This meeting paves the way for Somalia’s positive future progress, change and building momentum.
