Somalia is making progress, president Hassan Sheikh says

MOGADISHU, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud maintained that Somalia has made huge steps in the stabilization of the state, adding that there is a need for the international community to have faith in the country’s journey to prosperity.

For three decades, Somalia has struggled with instability, following civil war and terrorism. The al-Shabaab militants have been fighting to topple the fragile UN-backed federal government of Somalia but are yet to succeed.

Hassan Sheikh participated in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Türkiye. During a high-level panel discussion, the President highlighted the Federal Government of Somalia's perspective on the Red Sea, emphasizing that peace and international trade hinge on promoting cooperation and stability of the Red Sea bordering countries.

Al-Shabaab, he said, has lost several strategic grounds in the country, following an operation by security teams under the stewardship of the US Army, the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), and the Somali National Army (SNA).

"The President also spoke about the Government’s continued effort to liberate areas under terrorist control, strengthening statehood, and promoting sustainable development," Villa Somalia reports.

"The President touched on the Ethiopian government's unilateral actions undermining the stability of the region, dismissing baseless claims aimed at legitimizing encroachment on Somali territorial waters."

Turkey is a close security and development partner of the federal government of Somalia, with the country training and equipping GorGor special forces of the Somali National Army. The al-Shabaab militants have often targeted Turkish nationals in the country.

GAROWE ONLINE