Somalia’s President Mohamud urges business leaders to aid drought-hit families

Friday March 20, 2026

Mogadishu (AX) — Confronting soaring prices and a deepening hunger crisis, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Thursday urged business leaders, religious scholars and charitable organizations to rally support for drought-stricken families, with a special emphasis on orphans and other vulnerable groups.

Delivering an Eid address to the nation, the president called for solidarity as nearly 6.5 million people in Somalia are projected to face crisis-level or worse food insecurity by the end of March, according to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis released by the federal government and U.N. agencies.

Intensifying drought, protracted conflict and reductions in global aid have compounded the emergency, leaving millions struggling to obtain food, water and basic services.

Hassan Sheikh said regional instability, including conflicts in the Middle East, has fueled the surge in prices for essential goods in Somalia. He urged that such disputes be resolved through dialogue to prevent further economic shocks that could strain Somali households.

To curb domestic price pressures, the president announced a special committee to monitor and lower the cost of essential commodities. The body will include representatives from the ministries of Finance, Planning, Trade and Industry, alongside the Chamber of Commerce, the Office of the Attorney General and the Treasury.

The committee’s mandate, he said, is to ensure fair pricing and ease the burden on ordinary citizens.

The president added that the government is pressing ahead with efforts to bolster security, widen democratic governance and stimulate economic development. He reiterated an offer of amnesty to youth affiliated with al-Shabab and ISIS, urging them to renounce violence and rejoin society.

Hassan Sheikh further stressed that political dialogue remains open and is the only route to durable solutions and steady governance.

Somalia is navigating a fraught period marked by political tensions, security threats and rising humanitarian needs, with aid agencies warning that sustained assistance will be essential to prevent a further slide in living conditions.