Prominent Somali cleric Sheikh Ali Wajiis has ignited a political firestorm after alleging that foreign powers are covertly backing Al-Shabaab’s military campaign along Somalia’s central coastlines, particularly in the Galgaduud and Middle Shabelle regions. Speaking at a public forum, Sheikh Wajiis claimed that the militant group’s renewed coastal offensive is not merely a domestic security crisis but part of a broader geopolitical strategy designed to undermine Somalia’s sovereignty and long-term stability.
According to Sheikh Wajiis, these foreign actors are deliberately fueling conflict in strategically important coastal areas to keep Somalia weak, divided, and reliant on external support. He emphasized that the timing and intensity of the recent Al-Shabaab operations near key maritime zones raise serious questions about external interests in Somalia’s untapped natural resources and its strategic location along the Indian Ocean.
The cleric’s remarks come as Somali National Army (SNA) forces intensify their operations in those regions, aiming to push back insurgents and secure vital coastal corridors. His statements have triggered intense debate among political leaders, analysts, and civil society groups, with some echoing his concerns while others warn against unsubstantiated conspiracy theories that could distract from domestic challenges.