Somalia ‘not right now in a position to negotiate with Al-Shabaab’ – President Mohamud

GOOBJOOG NEWS|ANKARA: President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has declared that Somalia is not at the moment in a position to negotiate with Al-Shabaab.

Speaking during a visit to Turkey, the Somali president said his policy towards Al-Shabaab is based on military, ideology and economic war, criticizing ‘containment’ policies used against Al-Shabaab in the past. 

According to Hassan Sheikh, keeping Al-Shabaab under control is not an option, while degrading is “good but not good enough.”

Hassan Sheikh said his government would “in the right time,” negotiate with Al-Shabaab, extending amnesty to members of the terrorist group who will renounce their extremist ideologies and violence.

Finally, the Somali president said security was a top priority, adding that his government aimed at implementing social and political reconciliation, including a unified constitution and institution building.