Somalia Leaders Reaffirm Sovereignty, Back Anti-Al-Shabaab Drive at National Consultative Council Meeting

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU — Somalia’s President Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Friday chaired a meeting of the National Consultative Council, bringing together federal and regional leaders to discuss national security, the fight against Al-Shabaab, and preparations for upcoming elections, according to a communiqué issued after the session.

The meeting, held on Jan. 24, 2026, was attended by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, South West State President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen), Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye (Qoorqoor), Hirshabelle President Ali Abdullahi Hussein (Ali Gudlaawe), Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, and Banadir Regional Administration Governor and Mogadishu Mayor Hassan Mohamed Hussein (Mungab), the statement said.

In its resolutions, the council said it had reaffirmed the Federal Government’s constitutional responsibilities to protect the country’s sovereignty, dignity and territorial integrity, as well as the rights of citizens.The communiqué also said the council welcomed recent steps taken by the Banadir administration to broaden political participation at the local level, while urging the acceleration of district-level elections in line with the national electoral timetable.

The council further announced that the National Consultative Council’s next meeting would be convened by the Federal Government on Feb. 1, 2026.On security, the leaders reiterated support for ongoing operations against Al-Shabaab, praising the Somali people for standing with the government against what the statement described as extremist violence.

The communiqué also highlighted the security situation in the country’s airspace and said the council would continue engaging with relevant international and regional organisations — including the United Nations, African Union, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Arab League and IGAD — and other partners, to safeguard Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with international norms.The statement concluded with a call for unity and continued cooperation among federal and regional institutions.