Thomas Kieler

JOINT PRESS STATEMENT International Partners Welcome Proposed Platform for Political and Community Leaders Mogadishu, 7 April 2025 — International partners* welcome the proposal to organize a platform for Somali political and community leaders to ensure their views and efforts form part of the fight against terrorism and the establishment of a democratic and federal system of government, as announced by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in his 29 March 2025 address to the nation for Eid-al-Fitr. A unified and inclusive strategy is indispensable to achieving success against Al-Shabaab and advancing Somalia’s state-building priorities. We welcome the reported positive responses from leading Somali political figures to this initiative. We urge the Government, Federal Member State leaders, and political and societal stakeholders to meet expeditiously to ensure a unified, effective response to the ongoing Al-Shabaab offensive as an urgent national security priority. Quick, decisive action by Somali leaders, including on critical national political, constitutional and electoral matters, would enable further support by partners. We pay tribute to the resilient men and women of the Somali Security Forces and the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM) for their efforts to counter recent advances by Al-Shabaab in Lower Shabelle and Middle Shabelle. We remain steadfast in support of the government and people of Somalia as they strive to build a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous nation. *African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, European Union (EU) Delegation, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Ireland, Italy, Kenya, League of Arab States (LAS), Norway, Russian Federation, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, and United Nations.