Somalia's Sheikh Mohamud enters second year in office

Somali President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, completes his first year in office this month.

Since his election in 2022, Sheikh Mohamud has declared war on the al-Shabaab terrorist movement.

He then led Somalia to the path of development and stability.

Drying up sources of terrorism

Sheikh Mohamud works to dry up the sources of terrorism in his country, specifically from an economic point of view for al-Shabaab elements.

He closely monitors the financial dealings of the movement internally or externally. He also works to improve political and military relations with neighbouring countries to restore security and stability in Somalia and end the spread of armed organizations in Mogadishu.

Despite Sheikh Mohamud's efforts to achieve success at the level of regaining the territories where the elements of the terrorist movement have spread, counter-attacks against security forces are increasing at a remarkable pace.

This means that Mogadishu is entering a war of attrition that may be long-term, which is what the movement seeks.

African affairs specialist, Mohamed al-Sharqawi, says Sheikh Mohamud has achieved great successes.

"He pledged many of these successes in his electoral campaign," al-Sharqawi told The Reference.

"He pledged security, economic and social reforms, work on a balanced internal and foreign policy, solve the security file and fight al-Shabaab's terrorism," he added.

Al-Sharqawi noted that the security situation in Somalia has undergone a radical change.

The president, he said, entered into a war against al-Shabaab organization.

He added that the losses the terrorist organization incurred had prompted it to request the opening of dialogue with the government.

Strategy for war on terrorism

Al-Sharqawi said the Somali president has developed a strategy for the war on terrorism and strengthened the military capability of his country's army.

This, he added, was driven by coordination and improvements in Mogadishu's relations with regional and major countries, headed by the US, which activated its military presence in Somalia during the first year of Sheikh Mohamud's rule.

"Over 10,000 military personnel have been trained in various units of the Somali security forces in preparation for the withdrawal of African peacekeeping forces," al-Sharqawi said.

"This adds to sending training missions to countries like Uganda; Ethiopia; Eritrea, and Egypt to participate in equipping the army," he added.