Somali Prime Minister Abdi Barre marked the two-year anniversary of his cabinet with a town-hall meeting in Mogadishu, praising the government’s offensive against al-Shabab. However, the decision to arm clan militias has backfired, leading to increased instability and violence in Somalia. The move has divided society and alienated many communities, worsening the security situation.
Furthermore, the government’s decision to invite more foreign troops into the country has also been met with backlash from the Somali public, who view the presence of foreign forces as occupation. This has only served to strengthen al-Shabab’s standing among Somalis and hinder efforts to defeat the armed group.
President Mohamud’s push for constitutional amendments has further fueled discontent among various political stakeholders and the population, diminishing support for the war effort. Al-Shabab, on the other hand, has been able to exploit these divisions to gain ground and maintain control over territories within the country.
The current government strategy has proven ineffective, as evidenced by recent deadly attacks carried out by al-Shabab. It is imperative for President Mohamud to acknowledge his mistakes, reconcile with society, and engage in dialogue with all stakeholders, including al-Shabab, in order to bring peace and stability to Somalia. The country, which has been plagued by conflict for more than three decades, cannot afford more bloodshed.
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