Somalilandsun- A spokesman of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) lauded Iran for its humanitarian aids to Somalia, and asked Tehran to render support to AMISOM to save the African country from the rebels.
“As spokesman of joint forcers of the African Union and the United Nations in Somalia we welcome all those who support this war-stricken nation and we call on the Islamic Republic of Iran from this podium to support us in saving Somalia,” Colonel Ali Adam Hamd told FNA on Wednesday.
He also expressed AMISOM’s satisfaction with Iran’s humanitarian aids to the Somali people.
AMISOM now hopes that it can liberate more regions from country’s main rebels known as al-Shabaab , but it has called for enhanced efforts to help bring an end to the crisis in the country.
Earlier this month, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Somali counterpart Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in a meeting in Cairo, Egypt, reviewed the latest developments in bilateral relations between the two countries.
President Ahmadinejad said Iran will support the process of progress in Somalia.
He pointed to the improving situation in that country, and said it enjoys rich resources which should be used in order to make further development.
He voiced Iran’s readiness to contribute in Somalia’s development in all possible areas.
The Somali President appreciated Iran’s support for his country.
Tehran has prioritized promotion of its economic and political ties with the African states and the country is now considered as one of the African Union’s strategic partners.
Tehran’s efforts to boost ties and cooperation with Africa have led to its acceptance as an observing member of the AU, where it has shown an active presence in the AU summit meetings.
A number of Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, have visited Somalia to inspect the famine-hit areas and oversee the process of delivering aid to the country.
Somalia was the hardest-hit country by what was described as the worst drought in the Horn of Africa in 60 years.
