Thursday July 14, 2022
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with the parents of the Somali recruits sent to Eritrea for training on Wednesday.
Mohamud returned to Somalia on Monday following a four-day official visit to Eritrea at the invitation of his Eritrean counterpart, Isaias Afwerki.
The President informed the parents of the recruits' overall situation, state of health, and training development.
“I observed their lives closely and shared with them the spirit of Eid. I advised them and resolved to solve some of their challenges like a parent would, and I assure you that they will soon be in touch.”
Mohamud promised the soldiers would come home to fulfill their national service and reunite with their families.
The earliest group of recruits had been training in Eritrea for three years with minimal contact with the family or the outside world.
After years of near radio silence, the parents welcomed the information they received from President Mohamud and thanked him for prioritizing their sons' situation.
Some parents said their sons were fine after communicating with them by phone.
During his stay in Eritrea, Mohamud visited the Somali army brigade trained and congratulated the recruits for completing the training.
The President's visit marked the first time the Eritrean-trained Somali soldiers appeared in public since the Farmajo administration launched the covert program.