Mogadishu, Somalia — The newly appointed Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Gen. Dagvin Anderson, arrived in Mogadishu on Wednesday, in a visit that underscores Washington’s continued commitment to supporting Somalia’s security sector.
Gen. Anderson began his regional tour in Djibouti, where the U.S. military maintains its largest base on the continent, before traveling to the Somali capital. According to Somali government sources, he is scheduled to meet President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and the Somali National Army Chief, Gen. Odowaa Yusuf Rageh, on Thursday.
The visit comes at a time when Somalia is pressing ahead with its security transition plan, under which African Union peacekeeping forces (ATMIS) are set to gradually withdraw by the end of 2024, handing full responsibility to Somali security institutions. The presence of the new AFRICOM commander is seen as a strong signal that the U.S. intends to remain a key partner during this delicate period.
AFRICOM has long played a central role in counterterrorism operations in Somalia, particularly through airstrikes against Al-Shabaab, as well as training and equipping elite Somali forces such as Danab Brigade. Gen. Anderson’s arrival in Mogadishu is viewed as a reassurance to Somali authorities that Washington’s support will continue under his leadership.
A Somali security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the visit is “a clear demonstration of America’s readiness to deepen military cooperation at a critical stage of Somalia’s stabilization efforts.”
Following his meetings in Mogadishu, Gen. Anderson is expected to travel to Kenya, another key U.S. partner in East Africa, where discussions are likely to focus on counterterrorism coordination, regional stability, and cross-border security cooperation.
The transition of AFRICOM’s leadership comes at a pivotal moment for Somalia. With Al-Shabaab still capable of mounting deadly attacks and the ATMIS drawdown ongoing, the Somali government is under pressure to show tangible progress in securing liberated areas. U.S. engagement, both political and military, will remain a critical factor in Somalia’s ability to stabilize and prevent a security vacuum.
