Somali President Hails Trump’s ‘Decisive Leadership,’ Credits U.S. for Strengthening Counter-Terror Efforts

GOOBJOOG NEWS| Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has praised former U.S. President Donald Trump for what he described as “decisive leadership” in the global fight against terrorism, crediting U.S. support under the Trump administration for significantly weakening extremist groups in Somalia.

Speaking in an interview with Newsmax host Ed Henry, President Mohamud said the Trump administration’s counter-terrorism policies and military cooperation with Somali forces had helped reduce the threat posed by al-Shabaab to its lowest level in nearly two decades.“This time it’s very unique because President Trump has proven to be a very decisive leader in deciding the necessary steps to be taken to degrade and defeat the terrorist groups,” he said.

“The level of threat that the terrorists have been doing in Somalia has degraded to its lowest in the last 18 years.”

President Mohamud emphasized that U.S. military engagement—through training, mentoring, and battlefield support—has been instrumental in strengthening Somali security forces.“The U.S. forces are training Somali security forces, mentoring them in the battlefield as well, and giving them the necessary support,” he noted. “This makes the terrorists weak now in Somalia.”

The Somali leader also spoke broadly about regional peace efforts, suggesting that the Trump administration’s approach had brought renewed optimism in conflict-prone areas such as the Middle East.“In the Middle East today, there is more hope of peace than ever before under the leadership of President Trump,” Mohamud said.

On economic issues, President Mohamud drew a sharp contrast between China’s limited role in Somalia and what he described as growing economic ties with the United States. He said that despite China’s increasing influence across Africa, Somalia currently hosts no Chinese investments.“Right now, I want just to say that there is no Chinese investment in Somalia today and there is no Chinese investment in the pipeline,” he said.

In contrast, the president pointed to a rise in American business interest in Somalia, noting a recent investment forum in Mogadishu.“On the other hand, there is a lot of American investment in process… we have a three-day meeting here in Somalia by American businesses—more than two dozen American companies who came here in Somalia,” he said.

President Mohamud reiterated continued emphasis on deepening ties with Washington while maintaining a cautious distance from Beijing’s expanding footprint on the continent. It also underscores Somalia’s ongoing reliance on U.S. military and economic engagement as it continues its fight against al-Shabaab and works to rebuild state institutions.