Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with the President of the Federal Republic of Somalia Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to discuss opportunities to continue military cooperation to counter regional threats.
Secretary Austin and President Hassan Sheikh discussed important developments in the defense relationship. Secretary Austin lauded Somalia's current offensive and the sacrifices the Somalis have made to the counter al-Shabaab fight. Both leaders agreed that international coordination and support will be needed as the Federal Government of Somalia prepares for the drawdown of African Union forces and security transition.
President Hassan Sheikh thanked the United States for the ongoing military and civilian partnership to build a stronger and more stable Somalia. Secretary Austin expressed the importance of further cooperation with regional partners, and he expressed the Department's intent to work with the Federal Government of Somalia to coordinate with allies and partners in Somalia on shared interests, including countering al-Shabaab.