Somali diaspora should support fight against Al-Shabaab, says president

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Somalis living in the diaspora should support the fight against Al-Shabaab, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has said, while acknowledging the contributions by the team to the economy of the federal republic of Somalia.

In Norway, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud highlighted some of the milestones achieved in the fight against Al-Shabaab, noting that the group has lost strategic towns across the country following military operations in recent months.

President Mohamud called on the Somali diaspora community to actively participate in efforts to rebuild the country. The diaspora, he added, should directly engage in the stabilization mission in Somalia.

“I urged you to actively participate in the nation’s recovery and development processes. Your involvement and support is crucial for the continued progress of our country,” he said.

Somalis in the diaspora have traditionally supported the socio-economic transformation of the country through remittances, but the president believes more should be done in supporting counterterrorism missions by the government and allies.

Earlier, the president held talks with the Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre where they discussed avenues of enhancing cooperation between the two countries for the mutual benefit of their citizens.

Elsewhere, Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre said the government will start joint training of the security forces as a strategy to strengthen the existing force as the war against al-Shabaab intensifies. Alshabaab has lost a number of regions to government troops.

The PM further called on the Somali people to support the government and national forces’ efforts in the ongoing offensive against the Al-Shabaab militants and to avoid inter-clan conflicts which he said jeopardizes the government’s efforts to restore peace in the country.

“I am calling on the Somali clans who are fighting in different areas of the country to stop the conflict and to unite their forces to fight the Al-Shabaab from the country and to repel the foreign enemies who have invaded our country,” the prime minister said.

GAROWE ONLINE