WASHINGTON — The Commander of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Gen. Dagvin Anderson, has concluded the first phase of a high-level visit to Ethiopia, Somaliland and Puntland, aimed at reinforcing security cooperation and joint efforts against terrorism in the Horn of Africa.

In a statement, AFRICOM said the visit conveyed a clear message to extremist organizations and underscored Washington’s commitment to supporting regional partners in combating ISIS, Al-Shabaab and other armed groups. The mission, the command noted, is in line with the foreign policy priorities of President Donald Trump and the directives of U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

“We are here because we share a common enemy,” Gen. Anderson said. “I know this region very well, and we are here to empower our African partners so that, together, we can confront these threats.”

During his stop in Ethiopia, Gen. Anderson met Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the Chief of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula. Discussions focused on regional stability, security cooperation and coordination on counterterrorism and wider peace and security initiatives in the Horn of Africa.

In Somaliland, AFRICOM reported that Anderson held talks in Hargeisa with President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi “Cirro” and senior military officials, before travelling to Berbera to assess the strategic importance of the port and surrounding security environment.

In Puntland, he was received by Vice President Ilyas Osman Lugatoor and senior security officers. Anderson praised Puntland’s operations against armed cells hiding in the Golis Mountains, describing them as an important contribution to regional and international security.

“As we face growing security challenges — including the rise in extremist activity in East Africa, the Sahel and along West Africa’s coast — joint cooperation is more critical than ever,” Anderson said. “Together, we can build a more secure future that advances the safety and prosperity of the United States, Africa and generations to come.”

U.S. officials have repeatedly emphasized that Africa is central to global security and to the protection of American interests, with strengthened security partnerships remaining a cornerstone of Washington’s engagement on the continent.