IGAD: Somalia on the right path in Al-Shabaab war

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Federal Government of Somalia is on the right path in the fight against Al-Shabaab militants, the Inter-Governmental Authority and Development [IGAD] has noted, adding that the latest strategy in flushing out the militants will in the long run stabilize the Horn of Africa nation.

During the IGAD meeting in Djibouti, the Secretariat lauded efforts made by the government in fighting the militants, adding that the international community will give requisite support to the Somali National Army [SNA] which has taken the lead role in the operations against the Al-Qaida linked group.

To further equip Somalia, IGAD has recommended the lifting of the arms embargo slapped by the United Nations, a move which had also been backed by the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia [ATMIS]. For the last three decades due to civil war and the Al-Shabaab menace, the UN slapped Somalia with an arms embargo.

The leaders also resolved to reorganize the administrative structure of the IGAD bloc to enable equal chairing by one of the member states on an annual rotational basis. The regional bloc has been essential in matters of security and development for the last several years.

Also, IGAD heads of state have extended the tenure of Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu for another four years. This decision was made during the 14th Ordinary Session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Djibouti on June 12, 2023.

Further, they also suggested that the Deputy Secretary General of IGAD should be a Somali, appointed by the Federal Government of Somalia, while Mr. Workneh Gebeyehu, who is the current Secretary of IGAD, has been extended for a period of 4 years.

Somalia will be launching the second phase of operations against Al-Shabaab in the coming weeks which will target Jubaland and Southwest states after a successful outing in HirShabelle and Galmadug states.

According to the Somali government, close to 3,000 Al-Shabaab militants were killed. Al-Shabaab has lost significant territories in central and southern Somalia for the last several months, but they have been launching sporadic retaliatory attacks against civilians and security forces in the Horn of Africa nation.

GAROWE ONLINE