Mogadishu (Caasimada Online) – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has vowed to liberate the country from Al-Shabab militants by the end of 2023 as government forces continue to gain control of more territories from the Islamist group.
In a national address on Sunday, the President outlined the government’s plans for this year, including the assumption of full responsibility for the country’s security with the help of the international community.
The President emphasized the importance of security in enabling the country to thrive and the well-being of its citizens and reassured the nation that efforts to combat Al-Shabab are making significant progress.
“The liberation of our country from Al-Shabab is within reach, and I am confident that we will achieve it by the end of 2023. With the support of our partners, we will continue to work tirelessly to rid our nation of this cancer that has plagued us for far too long,” the President said.
This comes as Somali government forces, aided by local armed civilians, have made significant progress in their efforts to drive Al-Shabaab out of the Galgadud and Mudug regions. The city of Masagaway in Galgadud region was captured on Sunday by the army, marking a significant victory in the fight against the extremist group.
Al-Shabaab, which is affiliated with Al-Qaeda, has been responsible for a number of deadly attacks in Somalia and the surrounding region, targeting civilians, government officials, and international aid workers.
The group has been fighting against the government and African Union forces for over 15 years but is now facing its most formidable challenge yet as local people have joined the rebellion against the militants.
Looking ahead to the future, President Hassan expressed hope that 2023 will be a year of prosperity for Somalia and outlined the government’s plan to take over the country’s general security from the ATMIS mission, which has been assisting Somalia for many years.
“The goal is for the Somali government and its people to fully assume responsibility for the security of the country by December 2024, with the help of the international community,” the President said
The President also mentioned that the federal and regional governments had reached a political agreement on security issues and national security structure. He promised to provide more details on this agreement at a later date.
Somalia has been plagued by civil war and instability for decades, with the extremist group Al-Shabab playing a significant role in the country’s conflicts.
Al-Shabab, which is affiliated with Al-Qaeda, has carried out a number of deadly attacks in Somalia and the surrounding region, targeting civilians, government officials, and international aid workers.
In recent years, the Somali government, with the help of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and other international partners, has made significant progress in combating Al-Shabab and improving security in the country. However, the group continues to pose a threat, and the fight against it is ongoing.
In addition to addressing security concerns, the Somali government has also been working to rebuild the country’s infrastructure and institutions and provide essential services to its citizens. These efforts have been hindered by a number of challenges, including a lack of resources, corruption, and ongoing conflicts.
Despite these difficulties, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and his government remain committed to working towards a brighter future for Somalia and its people.
“I encourage the Somali people to focus on the future and not to judge where the country is today, but rather to judge where it is going,” said the President.
“I am confident that with hard work and determination, Somalia will achieve its goals and build a bright future for all its citizens.”
