Somalia Shifts Focus to Countering Extremist Ideology after Military Gains

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia is stepping up efforts to counter extremist ideology, as officials and international partners met in Mogadishu to coordinate strategies aimed at curbing radicalisation.

Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama led the high-level forum, organised by the National Center for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (TUBSAN), which brought together government officials, diplomats and security stakeholders.

Discussions centred on strengthening community-based programmes to counter militant narratives, with a focus on expanding awareness campaigns targeting young people seen as most vulnerable to recruitment.

Jama said recent battlefield gains against al Shabaab must be matched by efforts to prevent the spread of extremist ideology.

He stressed that long-term stability depends not only on security operations but also on addressing the drivers of radicalisation and building resilience within communities.

International partners attending the forum welcomed Somalia’s approach, signalling continued support for initiatives aimed at complementing military operations with prevention strategies.

Somalia has in recent months intensified its campaign against Al-Shabaab, increasingly pairing military offensives with programmes designed to counter recruitment and strengthen social cohesion.