SOMALILANDERS:- International leaders are gathering in London on Thursday to thrash out agreements with Somalia aimed at stabilising the country under its new political leadership.

The one-day conference is looking to strike a new compact that will accelerate progress on security, development and the troubled east African country's economy by 2020.

Britain's Foreign Office said it was aiming for "a new partnership for Somalia".

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.



EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini is also attending, along with US Defence Secretary James Mattis and Under Secretary of State Thomas Shannon.

Somalia is under a new president, prime minister and parliament this year and the conference is focused on underpinning stability in this electoral cycle.

Around 40 delegations from countries and international institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the League of Arab States are set to participate.

The gathering will focus on stimulating growth in one of the world's poorest countries and securing a path towards debt relief, hence the large turnout from international financial institutions.