U.S. likely to pursue talks with Al-Shabaab to end Somalia conflict – former adviser 

WASHINGTON, USA – The United States may be quietly entering talks with the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group Al-Shabaab as part of a potential shift in its Somalia policy, a former U.S. government adviser revealed, raising the possibility of a negotiated settlement to end the Horn of Africa nation’s decades-long insurgency.

Hamza Warfa, a former adviser at the State Department, told Universal Somali TV that military approaches have reached a dead end and that the Trump administration could already be laying the groundwork for direct or indirect engagement with the group.

“There are signs that dialogue may already be underway,” Warfa said, without providing specifics. He emphasized the need for a political solution and criticized the continued investment in a military campaign that has yielded little change on the ground.

The remarks come amid growing frustration within the Somali government and international circles over the stagnating fight against Al-Shabaab, which still controls large portions of territory and conducts frequent attacks.

Warfa said he intends to meet Trump administration officials in the coming weeks to push for formal peace talks that prioritize U.S. interests while giving Somalis hope for stability after years of conflict.

No official comment has been made by U.S. or Somali authorities. Al-Shabaab has also not responded to the remarks.

GAROWE ONLINE