Africom operations commander Dagvin Anderson (left) inspects a guard of honour mounted bybthe Somaliland military the the Hargeisa Airport on his arrival in Somaliland on Wednesday. He led a delegation that met the country’s leadership and also met the business community.HANDOUTA delegation from the United States has for the past week toured the Horn of Africa nations to assess the security, humanitarian and strategic infrastructure situations along the Red Sea corridor.
Key in their mission is to strategise how to enhance their work with the nations to ensure peace prevails in order to create an environment for growth and development.
Led by U.S. Africa Command (Africom) Operations Commander, Gen. Dagvin Anderson, the delegation which also includes U.S. Deputy Ambassador Justin Davis also focused on counter-terrorism cooperation and maritime security in the countries they visited among them Puntland, Ethiopia, Somaliland and Somalia.
Throughout the visit Gen. Dagvin Anderson has emphasized that U.S. military engagement in Africa is based on enabling African-led solutions, strengthening capable institutions, and addressing the root causes of instability.
Africom works closely with African partners to counter terrorist organizations like al Shabaab and ISIS, which threaten U.S., regional, and international security.
The delegation held consultative meetings with key government officials and top security organs in the countries they visited and also had wide range deliberations with the business community especially in Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland.
Among the members of the business community they met in Hargeisa is the Chief Executive Officer of Dahabshiil Group Abdirashid Duale with whom they discussed on the role of the business community in enhancing peace, trade and sustainable development.
Dahabshiil Group is one of the leading indigenous corporates in the Hon of Africa. The group which operates Africa leading money transfer company has its presence in several African states, the Middle East and United States and is also engaged in community based support initiatives.
In a statement Dahabshiil said: "Our Group CEO, Abdirashid Duale, met with senior U.S. Embassy officials in Hargeisa — including Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Davis and Mr. Younger — to discuss peace, trade, and sustainable development in the Horn of Africa.”
Duale said that strong partnerships drive shared progress and long-term prosperity.
The meeting with the Somaliland business community could not have come at a better time with the continued push for trade links and investments between the two nations.
Economic experts say a structured dialogue between Somaliland trade representatives and US policymakers can help bridge policy gaps and foster a cooperative trade environment.
Establishing a dedicated task force to focus on US-Somaliland trade relations will provide a clear roadmap for achieving mutually beneficial agreements.
To facilitate smooth trade relations, Somaliland must pursue formal trade agreements with the US.
Bilateral agreements can help remove trade barriers, reduce tariffs, and establish clear guidelines for commercial exchanges.
Engaging in diplomatic negotiations to secure preferential trade agreements will give Somaliland-based businesses easier access to US markets.
