Tuesday August 4, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam Madobe, met a delegation of U.S. lawmakers in Kismayo last week for talks focused on counterterrorism cooperation, security assistance and support for state-building in the southern federal member state.
The delegation, led by U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson and comprising 11 members of the U.S. Congress, visited Kismayo on July 29 alongside Acting U.S. Ambassador to Somalia Justin Davis and other American officials, according to a statement from the Jubbaland presidency.
According to the statement, the U.S. delegation praised Jubbaland's sustained role in counterterrorism operations and commended recent gains made by Jubbaland security forces and Somalia's elite Danab Special Forces in joint operations conducted with support from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
The lawmakers also reaffirmed Washington's commitment to supporting Somalia's security sector and ongoing efforts to combat extremist groups.
President Madobe thanked the United States for its longstanding partnership with Somalia, particularly its support for security, stabilization and institutional development.
"The Government of Jubbaland appreciates the United States' continued support for the Somali people and its partnership in the fight against terrorism," the regional administration said in its statement.
Madobe was joined at the meeting by Ahmed Abdi Kooshin, secretary of the Defense Committee in Somalia's House of the People, MP Mursal Mohamed Khaliif, chairman of the Somalia-U.S. Parliamentary Friendship Committee, and MP Abdirashid Jire Qalinle, Jubbaland's representative to the Somali Future Council.
The visit came as the United States continues to deepen security cooperation with Somali federal and regional authorities through military training, intelligence sharing and air support aimed at weakening al-Shabab and the Islamic State group in Somalia. AFRICOM has played a central role in supporting Somali and regional forces conducting operations against militant groups, particularly in Jubbaland and Puntland.
