Mogadishu, Somalia – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has praised the United States for its pivotal role in helping Somalia weaken the Al-Shabaab insurgency, saying sustained American support has fundamentally shifted the country’s security landscape.
Speaking during a live interview with a major U.S. media outlet, President Mohamud said that years of close military and intelligence cooperation with Washington have empowered Somali forces to go on the offensive against Khawaarij extremist groups.
He highlighted that the partnership has moved beyond airstrikes and funding, evolving into a coordinated strategy aimed at restoring long-term stability.
“This is not just assistance—it is solidarity. The United States has been a steadfast ally in some of our darkest moments. Together, we have dismantled networks that once terrorized entire regions,” the President said.
He noted that progress is now felt beyond the battlefield. Former conflict zones are reopening, civilians are returning to their homes, and key economic corridors have resumed activity. The most visible transformation, he said, is in the capital.
“Mogadishu is not the Mogadishu of ten years ago. Today, it is a city of possibility. Investors are coming back. Young people are opening businesses. Hope has replaced fear,” President Mohamud asserted.
While acknowledging that the extremist threat has not been eliminated, he stressed that Somalia is now operating from a position of strength rather than survival. He reiterated that continued collaboration with international partners—particularly the United States—remains essential to securing lasting peace.