BELEDWAYNE, Somalia

CIA chief William Burns on Friday held talks with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu on a range of issues including security and terrorism.

A statement issued by Somali presidency said Burns and Mohamud held a "high-level discussion on strengthening the enduring Somalia-U.S. strategic partnership."

The meeting, according to the readout, "covered a range of mutually beneficial topics, including supporting the Somali Federal Government in countering international terrorism promoting regional stability, and addressing key security challenges in the Horn of Africa."

"They both emphasized the importance of collaboration on issues essential to peace and security, reaffirming their commitment to advancing stability across the region," the statement added.

The CIA chief’s visit to Somalia comes as tensions have escalated between Somalia and Ethiopia due to Addis Ababa’s Red Sea access deal with the breakaway state of Somaliland. International partners, including Türkiye, are mediating to resolve the dispute.