Somalia rules out negotiations with Al-Shabaab

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia has ruled out negotiations with Al-Shabaab militants, insisting that the group’s criminal acts will not allow the country to enter into formal talks with it any time soon.

Hussein Sheikh Ali, the National Security Advisor, dismissed social media reports that the government is on course to start formal talks with Al-Shabaab. This group has been terrorizing people for some time.

According to these reports, the government will enter formal talks with Al-Shabaab in Qatar. Al-Shabaab, he said, ought to respect Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty by cutting links with global terror networks.

“FGS is not in talks with al-Shabab (Al-Khawarij). The President has put forward clear conditions on this eventuality,” Ali said. He added that the Al-Shabaab, ‘must sever any link with global terror groups and accept Somalia’s territorial integrity. They must be willing to pursue their political agenda peacefully.’

Early this month, in Oslo, Norway, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said his government was ready for talks with Al-Shabaab but on condition that it ends its militant activities.

The Somali government is currently involved in a military campaign against Al-Shabaab particularly in the central regions. The campaign which began in mid-2022 has resulted in the recovery of several towns and villages.

The government kicked off campaigns against the Al-Shabaab, killing thousands in the last two years. The second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab is due to kick off in Jubaland and Southwest states.

GAROWE ONLINE