(27-08-23) DHUSAMAREB — The National Consultative Council meeting entered its second day today on Sunday in Dhusamareb, the capital of the Galmudug state, bringing together high-level officials from the federal government, federal member states, and the Banadir region. Notably absent from the meeting were representatives from Puntland.
Chaired by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the meeting aims to formulate a cohesive strategy on various issues, most urgently, national security and the ongoing conflict with the Al-Shabaab extremist group. The gathering is also attended by Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre, Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye (Qorqor), Jubbaland President Ahmed Mohamed Islam, South West President Abdizais Hassan Mohamed (Lafta-Gareen), Hirshabelle President Ali Abdullahi Hussein (Gudlawe), and Benadir Governor Yusuf Hussein Jimale.
In an interview with VOA, Vice President of Galmudug, Ali Dahir Eid, outlined the meeting’s four-point agenda: national security, the battle against Al-Shabaab, lifting the arms embargo on Somalia, and the timing of the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) troops’ withdrawal.
Eid emphasised that the conference aims to build a unified strategy in the fight against Al-Shabaab and said, “The agenda of the conference is the overall security of the country, including the fight against Al-Shabaab terrorists and how the central government and the regional governments should fight together and complete the areas they have in Somalia.”
The Council is also discussing the lifting of the arms embargo on Somalia and the timing for the departure of AMISOM troops, which has already commenced. “The third point is the arms embargo and its removal, and the fourth point is the withdrawal of ATMIS and its timing,” Eid added.
One of the other key areas discussed was the recently liberated Elbur district. The Vice President confirmed that immediate assistance would stabilise the region. “We have done a good job in the areas that came into our hands. The first aid will arrive tomorrow, and it is the aid that Galmudug will deliver to Elbur and its people,” he stated.
This key meeting comes when the Federal Government of Somalia has made significant headway in combatting Al-Shabaab, particularly in Galmudug, where they have regained control over key districts. The Council is expected to issue a comprehensive statement in the coming days, outlining the resolutions and strategic approaches agreed upon during the meeting.
Halqabsi News
