Somalia Opens National Conference on Countering Violent Extremism in Mogadishu

Mogadishu(SONNA)-Somalia on Wednesday opened a two-day national conference in Mogadishu to strengthen efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism, bringing together senior government officials, international partners, women, youth and religious scholars.

Organized by the Tubsan National Center for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (TNC-PCVE), the conference comes nine years after the October 14, 2017, Mogadishu bombing, one of the deadliest attacks in Somalia’s history.

Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Somalai, H.E,Hamza Abdi Barre, Security Minister Abdullahi Sh. Ismail Fartag, Information Minister, Abdulfatah Qasim Mohamud, Minster of Endowments and Religious Affairs,Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali, National Intelligence and Security Agency Director Mahad Mohamed Salad, and Benadir Regional Governor and Mogadishu Mayor Hassan Mohamed Hussein Mungab are attending the conference.

Former Warta-Nabadda District Commissioner Zeynab Habsey said an organization had been established to document victims of terrorism and help identify people affected by extremist violence.

The conference focuses on countering extremist ideology, preventing radicalization and strengthening cooperation among government institutions and communities as Somalia continues its fight against Al-Shabaab and Islamic State militants.