Amid the bustling heart of Mogadishu, a city that dances on the edge of hope and history, Ali Jeyte Osman—the leader of the resilient Ma’awiisleey militia—made a potent call to action. His voice, both stern and compassionate, echoes the dreams and frustrations of many in Hiiraan faced with the prolonged and complex struggle against Al-Shabaab.

During a poignant Ramadan iftar, a gathering laden with rich scents of traditional Somali dishes, Jeyte addressed an eager crowd. Speaking with an urgency drawn from years of conflict, he pinpointed the need for a decisive and well-crafted plan to conclude this seemingly endless war.

“This war has gone on for too long—we must bring it to a conclusion,” he passionately asserted, leaving a mark not only on the minds of those present but a call to the world.

Jeyte underscored the absence of a concrete strategy, painting a vivid picture of a drift in the war’s direction—a haunting scenario that no leader wishes to see unfold. He articulated a fundamental question: “If we lose the government’s backing, does that mean we retreat in fear?” His words cut through any ambient noise, resonating with the silent clarity of a leading general on the frontline.

As Jeyte implored, fear is not an option. Dignity, often battered but never broken, stands tall and demands resolve. Using a blend of meticulous planning and raw courage, he sought to shift the focus from mere survival to strategic victory.

In an unconventional yet earnest appeal, Jeyte called for an assembly of the Hawadle clan elders, a revered circle known for their wisdom and foresight, to unify their efforts against Al-Shabaab. He wisely noted, “We are in the holy month of Ramadan, yet our fighters are expending ammunition without a structured plan.” In these words, one hears an echo of history, where battles were not just clashes of arms but tests of strategic acumen.

His message was clear: The war cannot be fought without a map, without a compass guiding each step taken on the battleground. Can a war without direction ever find its end? This reflection invited introspection and a revaluation of methods, goals, and unity.

The gathering was not just about addressing military strategies. It also reaffirmed a broader commitment to Somalia’s democratic transformation—a shift towards a one-person, one-vote electoral system. This paradigm shift promises a step toward stability and empowerment, reminding everyone that political evolution is just as crucial as military victory.

Jeyte’s discourse was neither the first nor would it be the last of its kind. However, the timely alignment of voices for a common cause in Mogadishu underscores a critical moment in the tapestry of Somalia’s history. It serves as a powerful reminder: When communities come together, fortified by shared vision and careful planning, the mountains of adversity become perhaps a little less daunting to climb.