Mogadishu, Somalia – In a concerted effort to combat terrorism and ensure national security, Somalia and its international partners gathered for a high-level meeting in Mogadishu to discuss the country’s national strategy for preventing and countering violent extremism.
The meeting, organized by the National Centre for the Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism, locally known as TUBSAN, aimed to review and reinforce Somalia’s strategy in countering the growing threat of violent extremism.
The national strategy, built on five interconnected pillars, encompasses coordination, community engagement, strategic communications, defection promotion and rehabilitation, as well as research and innovation. During the meeting, TUBSAN Director Abdullahi Mohamed Nur provided an overview of Somalia’s strategy and stressed the importance of international support in defeating extremist elements within the country.
“We must join forces in our efforts to confront violent extremism head-on,” urged Abdullahi. “The Somali government recognizes the significance of a comprehensive approach that involves all sectors of society. By intensifying our efforts against terrorist groups like Al-Shabaab and Daesh, we can put an end to the longstanding insurgency. In this context, the support from our partners is indispensable to our peacebuilding endeavors.”
Abdullahi further emphasized that the experiences shared by participants during the full-day conference would greatly contribute to enhancing the government’s strategies in countering violent extremism. He expressed gratitude for the invaluable contributions made by the attendees, stating that their involvement marked a critical milestone in Somalia’s campaign to eradicate the threats posed by violent extremists.
The timing of this meeting is crucial, as Somali security forces are expected to assume full responsibility for the country’s security by the end of this year, taking over from African Union peacekeepers who have been providing support.
While significant progress has been made in dislodging extremist groups from many towns in ongoing operations in central Somalia, the country still faces a serious threat from terrorists who continue to carry out attacks.
On Wednesday, Al-Shabaab militants targeted Mogadishu’s Bakaara market, the largest open-air market in Somalia, with a series of bomb explosions, resulting in numerous civilian casualties.
The meeting was attended by officials from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), representatives from various diplomatic missions in Somalia, and delegates from the United Nations. The presence of these international partners underscores the shared commitment to supporting Somalia in its fight against terrorism and the ultimate goal of achieving lasting peace and stability in the region.
