MOGADISHU — Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama on Thursday convened a high-level Coordination Forum on Preventing Extremist Ideology, organized by the National Center for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (TUBSAN), as part of a broader government push to complement military gains with ideological countermeasures. The summit, held in the capital, brought together security officials, international partners, and civil society representatives.
The forum focused on strengthening national capabilities to counter extremist narratives before they take root within local communities. A key operational priority identified during the session was the rapid expansion of grassroots awareness campaigns, particularly targeting youth — a demographic militant groups actively seek to recruit through deceptive messaging and economic incentives. The meeting aligns with TUBSAN’s 2024-2027 National Strategy for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, which provides a framework for addressing root causes of radicalization.
Addressing domestic and international attendees, the Deputy Prime Minister acknowledged recent battlefield successes achieved by Somali security forces but stressed that lasting stability requires an equally robust effort to dismantle extremist ideologies at the community level. He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting national security and fostering a generation free from extremist influences, a mandate state institutions are now being directed to prioritize.
A ‘Whole Government’ Approach
The forum builds on a long-standing government strategy to counter extremism beyond purely military operations. In April 2024, Deputy Prime Minister Jama announced at a Prevention and Countering of Violent Extremism Coordination Working Group platform that the government would adopt a “whole government approach” to dismantle Al-Shabaab, targeting the group’s combat capabilities, financial resources, influence, and ideological foundations. The approach coordinates security, religious affairs, education, and economic development sectors to address the drivers of extremism comprehensively.
In November 2025, TUBSAN hosted a key dialogue on the role of Somali youth in preventing violent extremism, gathering government officials, security heads, and youth representatives. Speaking at that forum, TUBSAN Director Ali Yasin Gurbe noted that combating extremism extends beyond military action to ideological, psychological, technological, and economic fronts requiring broad societal participation. State Minister Hirsi Gaani emphasized that overcoming extremism entails uprooting its ideological foundations and fortifying community strength in tandem with security measures.
International Collaboration and Religious Engagement
Thursday’s forum also drew participation from the international diplomatic community and specialized counter-extremism agencies, with representatives publicly commending the Somali government’s proactive approach. The National Strategy for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, approved by the Council of Ministers in August 2024 under Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre’s leadership, has served as a blueprint for these coordinated efforts, which continue to attract international support.
Religious engagement has emerged as a key component of the counter-extremism framework. In January 2026, Somalia and Saudi Arabia signed a bilateral cooperation agreement to advance Islamic administration and combat extremist ideologies, including programs for Imams and Khatibs aimed at promoting moderate Islamic teachings. The initiative seeks to protect communities from radicalization and ensure mosques remain centers of peace and social cohesion. Community-driven solutions, including economic empowerment and reintegration programs for at-risk youth, have also been actively pursued, with workshops convening community leaders, women’s groups, and local businesses to address root causes of radicalization through livelihood enhancement and inclusive economic opportunities.
Context: TUBSAN and DanQaran Government Priorities
The National Center for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (TUBSAN) was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre in October 2023. At the inauguration, the Prime Minister stated that the center represented an important milestone for Somalia, helping to prevent, counter, and fight terrorism. Since its establishment, TUBSAN has coordinated national strategy implementation, organized community outreach, and facilitated international partnerships in the counter-extremism space.
The forum also aligns with broader priorities of the federal government’s “DanQaran” administration. In September 2025, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prime Minister Barre, and top cabinet officials launched the DanQaran Government’s Performance Report (2022–2025), highlighting milestones in security operations, institutional reforms, and terrorism countermeasures. Officials have emphasized that the DanQaran framework is more than a political program — it is designed to stabilize Somalia while laying the groundwork for sustainable development, with counter-extremism forming a core pillar of the national security architecture.
Thursday’s Coordination Forum represents the latest in a series of high-level meetings focused on preventing radicalization. The government has signaled that similar engagements will continue as part of sustained efforts to ensure that military victories are complemented by robust ideological countermeasures, a dual approach officials believe is essential for long-term generational stability.
