Prime Minister Hamza Calls for United Front Against Extremist Ideology in Somalia

Mogadishu(SONNA)-Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalia, H,E, Hamza Abdi Barre has called on Somalis to unite in the fight against violent extremism, stressing that defeating the Khawarij requires sustained efforts to dismantle the group’s ideology alongside ongoing military operations.

Speaking at the National Conference on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in Mogadishu, Prime Minister Hamza said the government had prioritized combating extremist groups both militarily and ideologically, noting that growing public awareness had helped Somalis recognize the threat their ideology poses to the country’s national identity and statehood.

“The Somali people have increasingly come to understand that the ideology of this group threatens our very existence as a nation and as a state,” the Prime Minister said.

Reflecting on the October 14, 2017, bombing in Mogadishu, which killed hundreds of people and injured thousands, Hamza recalled his personal experience of narrowly surviving the devastating attack. He said he was near the explosion site when the blast occurred and that the house he was heading to subsequently collapsed.

“I was among those whom Allah saved. I had passed through that area and was heading to a house about 200 steps from the explosion site. When the blast occurred, I fell to the ground, and by Allah’s mercy, I escaped. The house collapsed, but we were among those who survived,” he said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the role of Somali religious scholars in countering extremist narratives, saying his government had prioritized engaging religious leaders to clarify the group’s ideology and challenge its religious claims.

He noted that Somali scholars had issued a religious ruling identifying the group’s conduct with the practices of the historical Khawarij and underscoring the need to confront its ideology and activities.

Prime Minister Hamza emphasized that countering extremism requires a collective approach involving security operations, religious guidance and public awareness to prevent radicalization and undermine extremist recruitment.

He urged citizens to join forces with the government in confronting the groups still operating in parts of the country.

“I call on the Somali people to unite and work together to eliminate these hostile groups and their misguided ideology from our country,” the Prime Minister said.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continuing its efforts to eradicate violent extremism and strengthen peace and stability across Somalia.