LONDON: International leaders are gathering in London on Thursday to thrash out agreements with Somalia aimed at stabilizing the country under its new political leadership. The meeting is being co-chaired by Somalia’s new President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and British Prime Minister Theresa May. Somalia is under a new president, prime minister and parliament this year and the conference is focused on underpinning stability in this electoral cycle. Relief of its $5.3 billion long-standing debts will be dependent on Somalia reforming its economy and tackling corruption. Diplomatic sources said the meeting was timely as drought, piracy and militant Islamist group Shabaab were all reappearing on the radar.

Source: Manila Times May 11, 2017 02:48 UTC