Mogadishu (WDN) — Somalia’s international partners have expressed strong support for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s recent call for a national consultative platform, aimed at bringing together political leaders and key societal figures to address the country’s mounting security and governance challenges.

In a joint statement issued today, the partners described the President’s initiative—announced in his March 29, 2025, Eid al-Fitr address—as a critical step toward fostering unity, strengthening democracy, and reinforcing Somalia’s federal governance structure.

“A unified and inclusive national strategy is essential to defeat Al-Shabaab and to move forward on Somalia’s state-building agenda,” the statement read. “We welcome the positive responses from key Somali political leaders and urge all stakeholders to come together without delay.”

The international community called on the Federal Government, Federal Member States, and other political and civil society actors to swiftly convene and forge a collective, effective response to the ongoing conflict with Al-Shabaab, warning that the issue is of urgent national security importance.

The partners emphasized that prompt, consensus-driven decisions on vital national matters—including the provisional constitution, political reforms, and electoral preparations—would open the door to enhanced international support.

Additionally, the statement commended the resilience and dedication of Somali security forces and the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), particularly in their efforts to push back Al-Shabaab’s operations in Lower and Middle Shabelle regions.

“We remain committed to standing alongside the Somali people and their government in the pursuit of peace, democracy, and prosperity,” the statement concluded.

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Signatories to the joint communiqué include:
AUSSOM, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, the European Union Delegation, Finland, Germany, Hungary, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Ireland, Italy, Kenya, the League of Arab States (LAS), Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Uganda, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the United Nations.

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