Sunday 30, March 2025 {HMC} Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has invited political leaders, including his rivals, to shape a unified national effort to defeat the Al-Shabaab insurgency and strengthen Somalia’s federal system.
Speaking during Eid al-Fitr celebrations on Saturday night, President Mohamud emphasized that defeating Al-Shabaab requires broad political consensus and unity. He thanked political leaders for prioritizing the nation’s unity and called for their inclusion in both security and state-building efforts.
“I am opening the door to politicians and community leaders so that their views and efforts can be part of the fight against the Khawarij and the establishment of a modern state based on democracy and a federal system, operating within our constitution and laws,” the President said. “We welcome all good ideas to preserve our unity.”
The appeal comes amid ongoing tensions with federal member states Puntland and Jubbaland, as well as former Presidents Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo, who have accused the current administration of violating constitutional principles, mishandling election preparations, and acting unilaterally in the war on Al-Shabaab.
Former Somali intelligence chief Fahad Yasin Haji Dahir also recently called on the President to convene a national forum to build consensus on a unified counterterrorism strategy. “It is time to show unity and solidarity that can bring about a national plan to counter terrorism that threatens the existence of the nation,” Fahad Yasin said.
Somalia’s ongoing military offensive, backed by clan militias and international partners, has dealt significant blows to Al-Shabaab in Galmudug, Hirshabelle, and Lower Shabelle regions. However, the group remains entrenched in rural areas and continues to carry out deadly asymmetric attacks.
Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-affiliated group designated as a terrorist organization by Somalia, the United States, and the United Nations, has waged a violent insurgency for over 15 years, aiming to overthrow the federal government and impose its strict interpretation of Islamic law.
