Nestled within the heart of the Hiiraan region, the Moqokori district stood as the latest venue for an essential dialogue focused on bolstering regional security. On a day that promised neither too much sun nor unexpected rain, figures of authority in Somalia converged for an imperative gathering. Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sambaloolshe, the astute Director of the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), alongside Hirshabelle’s Vice President, the charismatic Yusuf Ahmed Hagar Dabageed, spearheaded this initiative on a contemplative Friday morning. Together, they engaged with the stewards of Somali culture and tradition—its elders.
Their purpose? To delineate strategies aimed at reinforcing security and expediting military operations against the notorious Al-Shabaab militancy. This engagement was particularly crucial in the Middle Shabelle region, where Somali forces, vigorous in their determination, have amplified their efforts to reclaim lost territories. “Security is not just the responsibility of the armed forces,” Director Sambaloolshe articulated with his measured voice resonating throughout the room. “It is the cornerstone of our community, one which requires a holistic approach to preserve and nurture.”
Pay attention to his words—there’s more to them than just policy. Comprehensive security plans are in the works, strategically devised to stabilize zones under Hirshabelle’s administration while averting the insidious threat of militant infiltration. Yet, Sambaloolshe’s appeal extended further; he called upon the esteemed traditional elders of Moqokori to champion the government’s counterterrorism crusade. Could these wise figures, repositories of community trust, spur their people into concerted action against Al-Shabaab’s oppressive shadow?
With solemn gravitas, the elders rose to the occasion. Their pledge was unwavering and infused with sincerity. They assured their steadfast cooperation with NISA, throwing their weight behind the federal government’s burgeoning efforts across central Somalia. There’s a palpable sense of unity here—a quietly stirring testament to collaboration in adversity.
Meanwhile, the ground trembles with an intensified military campaign, orchestrated by Somalia’s government and supported by local militia armies, even as international partners offer their strategic insight and resources. Noteworthy victories have been recorded, lands regained—particularly in Galmudug and Hirshabelle states. Nevertheless, in the rural recesses, Al-Shabaab holds fast. There, they lie in wait, resilient, ready to regroup, and poised to unleash guerrilla warfare tactics.
One cannot disregard last Tuesday’s chilling episode—a stark reminder of the perils that linger. A roadside bomb, an all-too-familiar harbinger of violence, struck close. Its target was President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s convoy near Villa Somalia in Mogadishu. Though the President emerged unscathed, the attack reverberated through the corridors of power, underscoring a clear message: Al-Shabaab, despite reduced territorial dominance, retains the capacity to disrupt and instill fear.
Recognized as a terrorist organization by Somalia, the United States, and the United Nations, Al-Shabaab’s disquieting presence underscores the complexity and urgency of Somali politics. Ravaging through an insurgency, their alignment with al-Qaeda colors them as a formidable force against the nation’s federal structures, institutions whose endurance and resilience continue to be tested.
Think for a moment: What does it take for a community to turn the tide against such persistent adversity? Perhaps, like the meeting in Moqokori, it starts with a conversation—a gathering—between the authoritative and the traditionally wise. A dialogue that dares to hope and dares even more to act.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.
