Somalia, US Seek Closer Cooperation to Counter Extremist Propaganda

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia and the United States are seeking closer cooperation to counter extremist propaganda and strengthen public awareness campaigns as Mogadishu works to complement its military campaign against Al-Shabaab with efforts to challenge the group’s influence over communities.

The discussions took place Saturday in Mogadishu between Somalia’s Information, Culture and Tourism Minister Abdifatah Qasim Mohamud and Robert Flannery, an adviser to the U.S. government’s East Africa Counterterrorism Programme.

The two officials explored ways to strengthen coordination on counterterrorism communications, prevent the spread of extremist ideologies and improve how government messages reach the public, according to Somalia’s Ministry of Information.

The talks reflect the growing importance of public communication in Somalia’s fight against Al-Shabaab, which has waged an insurgency against the federal government for years and continues to use propaganda and intimidation to influence communities, recruit supporters and challenge government authority.

Mohamud emphasised the need for a coordinated media strategy that would bring government messaging together and support public awareness campaigns aimed at strengthening community understanding and participation in efforts to counter terrorism.

Flannery, meanwhile, stressed the importance of maintaining cooperation between Washington and Mogadishu, particularly in strategic communications and media engagement, as part of broader U.S. support for Somalia’s counterterrorism efforts.

The United States has been a longstanding security partner of Somalia, providing training, assistance and military support in operations against Al-Shabaab. The latest discussions suggest that both sides are also looking to strengthen cooperation beyond the battlefield by addressing the narratives and extremist messaging that help sustain the insurgency.

Although the ministry did not announce specific new programmes or funding commitments, the meeting highlighted an effort to improve coordination between Somali institutions and their international partners in communicating security initiatives to the public.

The talks were also attended by Abdishakur Ali Ahmed, director of the ministry’s Strategic Communications Department, and ministerial adviser Abdiaziz Jeylani.