Hassan Sheikh: We will end Al-Shabaab insurgency in Somalia this year

MOGADISHU, Somalia - President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has expressed optimism that the country will effectively end the Al-Shabaab insurgency this year while taking to account the tremendous success made in the fight against the Al-Qaida-linked group which has been dominant in parts of rural central and southern Somalia.

The Al-Shabaab have been on the receiving end in the recent past following spirited camps from security forces from the Somali National Army [SNA], the US Africa Command, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS], and a number of clan militia.

Hassan Sheikh exuded confidence that this year, the main target will be liberating several parts of the country which are still under Al-Shabaab dominance, adding that the nation will not go to 2024 with Al-Shabaab still in charge of most strategic places in the country.

Galmadug and HirShabelle, he added, will be declared free from Al-Shabaab this month, noting the tremendous efforts by security forces to edge them out of the country. Al-Shabaab has surrendered in many towns which are in remote places following the offensive against them.

He stressed that his government is planning to complete the draft constitution and achieve its debt relief program. Somalia has been entirely dependent on foreign aid, especially in making payments to security forces who are instrumental in the Al-Shabaab war.

On Monday, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud visited a number of security forces who trained in Eritrea following their return to the country in December. It is estimated that close to 5000 security forces underwent training in Eritrea in a clandestine program conducted by your administration of Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.

The Eritrean-trained Somali soldiers have started joining the frontline but are all passing through General Gordon's military camp, Mogadishu. It is from this camp that the soldiers are dispatched to various provinces as a reinforcement to security forces on the ground according to Land Forces commander General Mohamed Tahalil Bihi.

GAROWE ONLINE