NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 18 — The Director of the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) William Burns met with Somalia President Hassan Mohamud on Thursday after meeting President William Ruto on Monday.
Villa Somalia stated that the discussions focused on regional security, addressing the escalating threats of terrorism and political instability in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East.
“They discussed regional issues of mutual interest and enhancing the Somalia-U.S. strategic partnership in critical areas, including the fight against international terrorism and promoting regional stability,” Villa Somalia reported.
Somalia has been fighting to win the war on terror, with frequent attacks from the Al-Qaeda-affiliated group Al-Shabaab which has also targeted neighboring countries including Kenya.
The CIA Director has actively engaged in the region over a week meeting key actors.
High-level talks
On January 16, Burns met President Ruto at State House, Nairobi in high-level talks was attended by the US Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, and the Director General of Kenya’s intelligence, Noordin Haji.
“Held consultations with the United States of America Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William J. Burns at State House, Nairobi,” Ruto’s office announced.
While both sides did not divulge specific details on the talks, Kenya remains a significant ally of the US in regional security matters.
The role of the Director of the CIA (D/CIA) is to oversee the Agency’s intelligence activities, including collection, analysis, covert action, counterintelligence, and liaison relationships with foreign services.
The D/CIA reports to the Director of National Intelligence.
The CIA’s primary function is to provide objective intelligence on foreign countries and global issues to the president, the National Security Council, and other policymakers to assist in making national security decisions.
In the pursuit of preventing threats and advancing U.S. national security objectives, the CIA engages in collecting foreign intelligence, producing objective analysis, and conducting covert action, directed by the President of the United States.
The CIA collaborates with the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, and law enforcement agencies on various complex issues, ranging from counterintelligence to counter-terrorism.
