Hassan Sheikh: We refuse to succumb to Al-Shabaab, Somalia is not a failed state

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The world should not focus "too much" on problems bedeviling the federal republic of Somalia, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud opines, but instead, there is a need to identify positive strides made over the years on matters of administration and state building for prosperity.

In an emotional piece in The Guardian, Hassan Sheikh, who has been preaching Somali nationalism, said that the international community should tell the story of success and significant gains made by the country across all disciplines, including but not limited to security and social-economic transformation.

"Because we refuse to succumb to the terrorists’ intimidation tactics and Somalia is not a single narrative of violence and state failure. There is not just one story but many, running concurrently to diverse stakeholders, all of whom we must keep on board," the president said.

"Our situation today is one of hope, of finally overcoming the darkness of the past, which victimized and held down our entire society," he added. "Unfortunately, this story of success against the odds is not well told in the international development narratives that are still dominated by the current stark challenges and the perceptions of a crumbled Somalia. This is neither helpful to our national development nor a prudent basis from which to allocate and utilize much-needed donor financing."

Al-Shabaab, he said, has been pretending to preach Islamic beliefs by killing and extorting innocent civilians, while meeting violent them. The group has killed over 5,000 people mostly innocent civilians and resilient members of the Armed Forces who have been fighting the group for over 15 years.

The president was quick to acknowledge contributions made by the Somali National Army [SNA], African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], US Africa Command, and local militia, who have been confronting the group for the last several months in central and southern Somalia.

"Somalia is threatened by al-Shabaab, the group linked to al-Qaida, who have made it their business to kill, maim and extort the Somali people for the past 15 years. This group once pretended to represent the peaceful religion of Islam but this charade has been exposed by their cruel and systematic violence against innocent people," he said.

"While al-Shabaab remains a clear threat in Somalia and the wider region, the government, people and international partners have mobilized in unison to confront them. This collective effort is bearing fruit in terms of the number of newly liberated territories and defeated terrorists who traumatized communities."

For the country to move forward, he says, citizens and the government ought to work together to fix various areas in the economy, including investing in available resources that would help to boost development in the Horn of Africa nation.

"Our experience teaches us to focus on the strengths of the people and invest in available natural resources, including livestock, agriculture, the blue economy, and digitalization to achieve sustainable development for and with the people. These must be coupled with genuine commitment to inclusive politics and good governance, as we are in Somalia."

Earlier this month, World Bank announced gradual but significant gains in Somalia's economy, recording 2.9 percent, the all-time highest growth in as many years. The government has been striving to improve the economy despite Al-Shabaab's menace and unpredictable local political situation.

GAROWE ONLINE