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Africa Horn

Somali President meets regional leaders over worsening security, Al-Shabaab resurgence; Somali army chief quits

2025-04-22

[ShabelleMedia] Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud held a closed-door meeting with the leaders of the Galmudug
...a semiautonomous region in central Somalia, bordering Puntland on the north. Galmudug is not trying to obtain international recognition as a separate nation, but rather considers itself autonomous within the larger Somali federalism, for what that's worth...
, Hirshabelle, and South West regional states to discuss the deteriorating security situation and the renewed offensive by al-Shabaab

... al-Qaeda's tentacle in East Africa...
bad boys.

The talks, focused on counterterrorism operations and the bad boy group’s recent resurgence, came in the wake of an al-Shabaab takeover of the central town of Adan Yabal in Middle Shabelle, approximately 245 kilometers north of Mogadishu.

Hirshabelle President Ali Hussein Gudlawe underscored the strategic importance of regaining control of Adan Yabal, describing the group’s presence there as a major challenge to his administration.

Meanwhile,
...back at the shootout, bullets whapped! around Butch as he tried to tie his scarf around his shoulder as a tourniquet......
South West President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohammed Laftagareen praised the Somali National Army for repelling a recent al-Shabaab assault near Baidoa. He said the attack had been thwarted with several bully boyz killed, their bodies later displayed publicly in the city.

President Mohamud also consulted the regional leaders on a broader political initiative aimed at engaging key stakeholders and civil society to address the country’s fragile security. The initiative seeks to coordinate efforts to retake territories currently under al-Shabaab control and reinforce the national army’s campaign.

Security in Somalia has steadily worsened in recent weeks, with an uptick in attacks targeting military bases in Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle, fueling public concern and political pressure in the capital.

Somali army chief to resign after setback in Al-Shabaab war

[Garowe] General Odowaa Yusuf Rage, the Chief of Defence Forces of the Somali National Army (SNA), who made a return recently after dismissal, has since written to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, asking for exit from the SNA leadership.
"I'm outta here!"
Credible reports indicate that the Chief of Defence Forces is said to have written to President Hassan, expressing his intention to leave the forces, at a time the Somali National Army is facing setbacks from the battle against Al-Shabaab militants.

The Somali National Army lost strategic Adan Yabaal town in Middle Shabelle, highlighting a serious gap in the operations, with the US Africa Command forced to intervene by activating an airstrike while assisting the local forces in the fight against the group.

For this, President Mohamud is also expected to reshuffle senior military leadership to boost operations against al Shabaab, as the group has recently intensified attacks and regained control of previously lost territories.

General Odawaa Yusuf Rageh rejoined the military in November 2024 after two years of absence, having been replaced by General Ibrahim Sheikh Muhyiddin. Odowaa was brought back to spearhead the operations by the military against al-Shabaab.

If Odowaa Yusuf Rage's exit is confirmed, it would yet again deal a blow to security forces with the change on Command set to affect general organisation and strategy within the defence forces. The military is struggling to reclaim its lost glory.

This comes at the time President Hassan Sheikh opened talks at Villa Somalia with leaders of the South West, Hirshabelle, and Galmudug states. The meeting, requested by the three federal member states, comes after the loss of the military on a number of frontlines.

Next week, Hassan Sheikh has convened the National Consultative Council meeting, which shall focus on the strategies in the fight against Al-Shabaab. The government of Somalia is fighting the group with local security teams expected to take over security responsibilities in future.

Posted by:trailing wife

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