President Mohamud Vows Final Offensive against Al Shabaab, Renews Dialogue Offer to Somaliland
GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Federal Government of Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud used the closing ceremony of the country’s 66th Independence Week celebrations to outline his administration’s priorities on security, national unity and political reform, pledging a final campaign against al Shabaab, renewing calls for dialogue with Somaliland and defending the government’s push toward direct elections.
Speaking at Villa Somalia on Wednesday evening, Hassan Sheikh told an audience of senior government officials, lawmakers, diplomats and security chiefs that his administration was finalising plans for what he described as a decisive offensive against al Shabaab, adding that details would be made public once preparations were complete.
He also renewed an offer of amnesty to members of the militant group willing to surrender, urging fighters to abandon violence and rejoin their communities.
On relations with Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991 but remains internationally recognised as part of Somalia, the president reiterated his government’s willingness to engage in dialogue.
“We are ready to listen to grievances and seek solutions through dialogue,” Hassan Sheikh said, arguing that Somalia’s unity remains the best path forward.
The president also reaffirmed Somalia’s longstanding position of not recognising Israel, saying his government would not establish diplomatic relations with the country.
Much of his address focused on the government’s political reform agenda, with president Mohamud defending plans to transition Somalia toward a multi-party political system and universal suffrage.
He said the country should move away from politics centred on individuals and clan affiliations, arguing that future leaders should emerge through political parties with defined programmes and be elected directly by citizens.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
The remarks come as Somalia continues to debate constitutional amendments and electoral reforms, issues that have deepened political divisions between the Federal Government and some regional administrations as well as opposition leaders. Critics have questioned the pace and inclusiveness of the reform process, while the government maintains the changes are necessary to complete Somalia’s transition to democratic governance.
Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre echoed the president’s message, accusing unnamed political leaders of undermining national unity and defending the federal government’s efforts to recruit soldiers and public servants across all federal member states.
Without naming specific individuals, the prime minister criticised what he described as attempts to restrict recruitment of national security personnel and civil servants in Puntland, saying the federal government would continue employing qualified Somalis regardless of where they come from.
President Hassan Sheikh also rejected allegations by Puntland authorities that the federal government had recently deployed new forces to the state, saying the personnel in question had been stationed there for months as part of the national security forces.
Relations between Mogadishu and Puntland have remained strained over constitutional amendments, electoral reforms and the distribution of federal powers, with the regional administration accusing the federal government of acting unilaterally. The federal government has rejected those accusations and says it remains committed to dialogue with all federal member states.
Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama also addressed the gathering, calling for stronger national unity, party-based politics and continued investment in democratic institutions. He urged Somalis from all regions to participate in nation-building and warned that security threats and climate-related challenges continued to pose significant risks despite progress made in recent years.
The ceremony concluded a week of nationwide celebrations marking Somalia’s independence. The commemorations began on June 26, marking the independence of the former British Somaliland Protectorate, and culminated on July 1, the anniversary of the union between the former British Somaliland and the Trust Territory of Somalia under Italian administration to establish the Somali Republic in 1960.
Independence Day events were also held at Somali embassies and diplomatic missions across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America, bringing together members of the Somali diaspora and officials from host countries.