Somalia’s newly-elected president, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has vowed to secure the capital Mogadishu from the web of Al-Shabaab. The also has pledged to focus on issues of economic recovery, political stability and debt relief during his first 100 days in office.
The Al-Qaeda affiliated Al-Shabaab has waged its insurgency in the horn of Africa nation for close to two decades, destabilizing the country’s economy and impoverishing the citizens of Somalia.
The militant group continue to wage small to large scale attacks especially for the capital Mogadishu with a goal to take control of the important city where the group greatly benefits from levy collections and extortion from businesses. The President underscored the problems brought forth by the extremist militants fighting the western backed government whose intention is to establish strict sharia rule.
According to President Mohamud, battling Al-Shabaab insurgency which has escalated attacks from across the country and notably in Mogadishu in the recent months remain on of the biggest challenges that he vowed to undertake decisively. The President knowns first-hand the threat posed by Al-Shabaab having survived several assassinations attempts during his first term.
The President appreciated the dedication and commitment of the ATMIS troops that continue to support the Somali National Army (SNA) in battling Al-Shabaab noting the partnership will continue until the militant group is degraded. Securing the capital Mogadishu will be the ultimate goal since that where the militant group continue to draw huge sums of money to finance its operations from.
To secure Mogadishu, the President noted that security forces will operate and secure it from its corridors such as the Lower and Middle Shabelle regions and inside to establish a strong intelligence presence. He also called for any support and collaboration from anyone who is willing to help Somalia’s security apparatus to ensure the security.
The President also appreciated the redeployment of the US Special operations forces again in Somalia to help in the fight against the terror group. He thanked U.S. President Joe Biden in a tweet Tuesday, calling the United States “a reliable partner in our quest to stability and fight against terrorism.”
