Mogadishu (PP News Desk) — The Defence Minister of Somalia, Ahmed Moallim Fiqi, yesterday briefed the media on the successful conclusion of a summit for member states of the East African Standby Forces.
“The sessions pertained mainly to administrative matters and planning for a meeting in Mogadishu in December, when Somalia will hand over chairmanship to a different country,” said Fiqi.
Mr Fiqi stated that Somalia raised concerns about a proposed maritime exercise in its territorial waters, in which landlocked member states could participate. “Our concern has been accepted, and no such exercise will take place in Somali waters. We view such participation as a pretext for laying claim to the coastal land of our country,” Fiqi told Somali National Television.
The conference in Mogadishu was attended by more than 70 senior officers. “It reflects the progress made in state-building in Somalia,” Fiqi added.
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