Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia Salah Ahmed Jama has arrived in St. Petersburg to take part in the second Russia-Africa summit. The flight carrying high-ranking representatives from the country landed at Pulkovo airport, as reported by a TASS correspondent.
Amid the humanitarian challenges faced by Somalia, the country has expressed its need for supplies of Russian grain. The Russian embassy in Somalia acknowledged the tense humanitarian situation, despite international efforts to prevent widespread famine. In response, Mogadishu warmly welcomed Moscow's decision to provide Russian grain on a free-of-charge basis, as expressed by the diplomatic mission.
The security situation in Somalia remains difficult, with the presence of the al-Shabaab group, which has been carrying out terrorist attacks since 2008. While it once controlled significant territories, it shifted to guerrilla tactics in its fight against the Somali government and its allies. The total strength of al-Shabaab is estimated to be around 10,000 fighters.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has previously affirmed Russia's readiness to support Somalia's army in their efforts to combat terrorism.
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Based on materials from TASS