Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud arrived in the town of Baidoa in the Bay region on Wednesday.
This visit comes shortly after Southwest regional leader Abdiasis Laftagaren declared an offensive against the Alshabaab group.
President Mohamud’s office released a statement outlining his plans to travel to various districts in the region, where he will engage with local communities and exhort them to mobilize against the Al-Qaeda-aligned affiliate.
The decision to personally lead the campaign against Al-Shabaab underscores the gravity of the situation and the government’s commitment to combatting the Al-Shabaab group.
According to the office of the president, the head of the states presence in Baidoa serves as a rallying point, symbolizing the unity and determination of the Somali people and their leaders in the face of a common enemy.
The visit is expected to galvanize local communities and encourage their active participation in the fight against terrorism.
This move comes at a juncture, as a nearly two-year-long offensive against the rebels in the central region of Galgadud has encountered significant obstacles.
The offensive, which aimed to weaken Al-Shabaab’s grip on the area, has stalled, allowing the militants to regain control over most of the towns previously captured by the Somali army.
The resurgence of Al-Shabaab poses a serious threat to the progress made in the region, undermining the efforts of the Somali government and its international partners to establish stability and security.
The deteriorating security situation has also prompted authorities to request a three-month delay in the scheduled withdrawal of 3,000 African Union peacekeepers.
President Mohamud’s visit to Baidoa is a strategic move aimed at reversing the recent setbacks and revitalizing the fight against Al-Shabaab.
