Hassan Sheikh pleads with Trump to spare American troops in Somalia

MOGADISHU, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has pleaded with his American counterpart Donald Trump to spare US troops serving in Somalia, arguing that the country needs them as it fights terrorism and instability in the course of nation-building.

Trump, who bounced back to the White House last month after historic elections in November 2024, is known to push for cost-saving by cutting programmes he deems unnecessary for American taxpayers. He has already stopped foreign aid programmes.

In an interview with the Washington Post, Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said President Trump should not withdraw American advisors assisting in the training of Somalia’s special forces and called for an increase in support to help combat Alshabaab during Trump’s administration.

On Saturday, Trump announced that The U.S. military has conducted coordinated airstrikes against Islamic State operatives in Somalia, the first attacks in the African nation since he assumed office in his second term.

The al-Shabaab militants are dominant in central and southern regions but the collaborative approach taken by the Somali National Army, the US Africa Command and the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) have managed to neutralise their capabilities.

Before leaving the White House in 2020, Trump had ordered for withdrawal of American troops from different parts of the world including Somalia. However, this decision was reversed by Joe Biden upon the request of Somalia, which cited the resurgence of Al-Shabaab activities.

Further, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has voiced concerns regarding the influence some aides of President Donald Trump may have in advocating for Somaliland's recognition as an independent nation.

In a Washington Post interview, he emphasized the unity of Somalia, stating, "Somalia is one. It became an independent state in 1960." Somaliland region I'd pushing for recognition and a few Republicans have sided with the region's theory.

Elsewhere, The Federal Government of Somalia has issued a strong warning to all local and international agencies operating within the country, strictly prohibiting any form of collaboration or engagement with extremist groups.

Citing Anti-Terrorism Law No. 007, enacted on March 20, 2023, as the legal basis for these measures, the Ministry of Interior and Federal Affairs emphasized that all agencies are strictly forbidden from working with, providing services to, obeying orders from, or offering financial support to terrorist organizations such as Al-Shabaab and Daesh.

GAROWE ONLINE