Mogadishu, Somalia – In remarks igniting widespread discussion, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud asserted that Al-Shabaab militants hold the right to secure National Identification Cards as Somali citizens, all while stressing the government’s dedication to robust counterterrorism measures.
He delivered these comments at the Thursday closing event of the Second National Identification Conference (SNIDC2025) in Mogadishu.
“Any Al-Shabaab member should receive an ID card; they are Somali citizens. No one can deny them their citizenship,” President Mohamud declared.
These statements arise amid persistent global campaigns against Al-Shabaab. The United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and other Western countries classify Al-Shabaab as a foreign terrorist organization.
These nations see the group as a major threat to East African stability, with links to Al-Qaeda and a record of violence against civilians, African Union troops, and Somali government sites.
Western authorities enforce tough sanctions, travel restrictions, and asset seizures on Al-Shabaab members, alongside military and counterterrorism aid to Somalia.
President Mohamud confronted the seeming inconsistency, observing: “Every country has citizens who break laws they stay citizens but answer to justice. Our counterterrorism efforts press on without pause, yet we separate citizenship rights from criminal responsibility.”
Security experts indicate the President’s words embody a nuanced two-pronged strategy: respecting core legal standards while applying military and political force against the militants. The national ID framework serves as a key mechanism for improved security vetting and government monitoring.
The President commended advancements by the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), noting the advanced digital ID system as a vital foundation for nation-building, security, and social services.
“Somalia needs to adopt contemporary governance tools, such as a dependable national identification structure,” President Mohamud emphasized.
“We cannot linger in the conditions of 35 years past. We must function within constitutional bounds and align with international standards,” he added.
The conference wrapped up urging all state entities to partner in rolling out the national identification system, deemed critical for service provision and bolstering national authority.
