Saturday April 5, 2025
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud meets with the leaders of South West, Hirshabelle, and Galmudug states at Villa Somalia in Mogadishu. The meeting focused on preparing for a national dialogue to strengthen political unity and advance federal governance.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met with the leaders of South West, Hirshabelle, and Galmudug states to lay the groundwork for a national dialogue to strengthen political unity and federal governance.
The high-level meeting, held in Mogadishu, focused on accelerating military operations across central and southern Somalia, where Al-Shabaab continues to mount asymmetric attacks despite recent battlefield losses. Federal and regional leaders agreed to enhance coordination between Somali security forces and local militias to push the group out of the remaining strongholds.
“The regional leaders play a critical role in organizing and coordinating the ground operations. Their leadership has been key to our recent gains,” President Hassan said, according to a statement from the presidency.
The meeting followed President Hassan’s call for a broad-based political consultation announced during Eid al-Fitr celebrations. In that speech, the president invited political rivals, community leaders, and former officials to join efforts to shape a unified response to the country’s security and governance challenges.
“We welcome all good ideas to preserve our unity,” the president said at the time, framing the talks as essential to establishing a democratic and inclusive federal system.
The dialogue initiative has received widespread support from across Somalia’s political landscape. Former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and former Prime Ministers Mohamed Hussein Roble and Abdi Farah Shirdon endorsed the plan, urging that the forum be inclusive and constitutionally grounded. Former President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and other opposition figures also backed the initiative, though they called for transparency regarding the agenda and participants.
Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam (Madobe) also voiced strong support, describing the talks as an opportunity to align national priorities in the fight against Al-Shabaab. However, Puntland has rejected the initiative, citing ongoing operations against ISIS in the Bari region and accusing the federal government of sidelining key stakeholders.
The divergent responses illustrate the fragility of Somalia’s political consensus. Puntland has long pushed for greater autonomy and expressed concern over federal electoral reforms, including the push for universal suffrage by 2026. Its refusal to participate in the talks has widened an already tense rift with Mogadishu.
During the Mogadishu meeting, regional leaders briefed the president on security developments in their territories and expressed their continued backing of federal efforts.
“The progress we’ve made against terrorism is thanks to the bravery of our forces and the unwavering support of the Somali people,” he said.
The Somali government hopes the process will be a turning point in consolidating security gains and advancing long-delayed political reconciliation.
Al-Shabaab, an al-Qaeda-linked group designated as a terrorist organization by Somalia, the United States, and the United Nations, has waged a violent insurgency for more than 15 years. While recent offensives have reclaimed large swaths of territory, the group remains deeply embedded in rural areas and continues to launch deadly attacks against civilians, military targets, and government officials.
