A high-level delegation from the United States government on Monday arrived in Kismayo, the capital of Jubaland State, where they held talks with Jubaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam “Madobe”.

The delegation was led by the US Ambassador to Somalia, Richard H. Riley. According to the Jubaland administration, the meeting focused on the overall situation in Somalia, with particular emphasis on security cooperation and humanitarian support.

“During the meeting, which was attended by the Minister of Interior and the Minister of Planning & International Cooperation, there were in-depth discussions on strengthening cooperation between the two sides, particularly in the areas of security, US support for development projects, and the wider political situation in the country and the state-building process in Somalia,” the Jubaland presidency said in a statement.

The statement added that the parties exchanged views on ways to further enhance partnership on security and stabilization, as well as support for ongoing development and governance initiatives in Jubaland and across Somalia.

Although the official communiqué did not explicitly detail ongoing political disputes, sources indicated that the current political tensions in Somalia were also part of the discussions.

The visit by the US delegation comes shortly after Somali Federal President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud travelled to Kismayo, where he held talks with President Ahmed Madobe. Those meetings ended without a clear breakthrough, amid continuing differences between the Federal Government and the Jubaland administration.