Africans rush to find Somalia peacekeepers

Michel said after meeting Yusuf he was impressed by his commitment to reconciliation and the EU would release funding for the force that had been made conditional on the government reaching out to defeated Islamists and other parties.

"I felt a sincere will ... to bring together all the parties in Somalia, of course the moderates, those who want a good and right future for the country," Michel told reporters.

Yusuf said: "Anyone who wants peace is our citizen and we are ready to cooperate."