Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has revealed that he narrowly survived a sixth assassination attempt by the extremist group Al-Shabaab, underscoring the grave and persistent threat posed by terrorism in the Horn of Africa.
The latest attempt took place on March 18, 2025, as the president was en route to the airport in Mogadishu to visit frontline troops.
“By the grace of God and thanks to the vigilance of our security forces, however, their plan failed, just like all of their previous attempts had,” President Mohamud said.
He emphasized that such attacks are not aimed solely at him as an individual, but rather at Somalia’s broader mission to rid itself of terrorism and ensure long-term regional stability.
“Our mission is to save Somalia from terrorism and build a stable future for its people and the region,” he said.
Since returning to office in 2022, Mohamud has prioritized confronting Al-Shabaab and ISIS through a two-pronged strategy focused on ideological and financial disruption.
“We have worked with more than 300 leading scholars to expose the falsehood of these groups’ discourse,” he stated.
Public awareness campaigns have helped clarify that Islam rejects the violent ideologies promoted by extremist factions.
Financially, the government has cracked down on the groups’ funding sources, shutting down hundreds of suspicious bank accounts and dismantling extortion networks.
“Our armed forces have cleared vast areas of the country,” he reported, noting that Somalia’s determination remains unwavering despite enormous sacrifices.
The president also warned of growing regional implications.
“Our battle with terrorism is not merely a domestic struggle.
It is a battle for the peace and stability of the entire region,” he said.
Citing evidence of coordination between Al-Shabaab, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and the Houthis, Mohamud noted a disturbing exchange of weapons and tactics, with arms shipments and drone deliveries intercepted en route from Yemen.
Somalia has intensified operations on two main fronts: the Cal Miskaad and Golis Mountains near the Gulf of Aden, and the central Shebelle River region along the Indian Ocean coast.
“We need the support of regional partners to prevent the Gulf of Aden from becoming a hub for terrorist groups,” Mohamud urged.
The president reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to the Saudi-led Islamic coalition against Houthi aggression and called for deeper regional integration.
“Achieving peace and security in Somalia cannot be isolated from regional stability in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” he said.
“We count on their support, because we believe that the security of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden is a collective responsibility.”
Despite the threats, the president expressed optimism. “We have paid a high price and taken a difficult path, but we believe that our destination is worth every sacrifice,” he concluded.
