MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s government has firmly denied reports that it is holding secret negotiations with the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab, following claims circulated by some media outlets in recent days.
Aweys Mohamed Omar, the president’s envoy for countering extremist ideology, said the reports were false and intended to undermine national security, military operations and public trust in the government.
“These claims are being spread by individuals who want to weaken the fight against terrorism and tarnish the image of the state,” Mr Omar said.
He stressed that the government is not engaged in any talks with Al-Shabaab and has no plans to do so. “There are no negotiations, direct or indirect,” he said, dismissing suggestions that Qatar was brokering discussions.
Mr Omar said the government’s strategy remains focused on defeating the group militarily and dismantling its ideological foundations, not accommodating it through political negotiations or power-sharing arrangements.
“Our priority is to combat extremist ideology and its roots, not to encourage or legitimise it,” he added, warning those spreading what he described as disinformation to stop actions aimed at undermining government operations.
The reports had claimed that Mogadishu was holding talks with Al-Shabaab amid the ongoing conflict, but analysts say such negotiations are highly unlikely in the current context.
In a recent analysis, the Somali Guardian reported talks would face major obstacles, including opposition from the United States and neighbouring countries, the Somali government’s limited leverage on the battlefield, and Al-Shabaab’s core demands.
Those demands include the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces from Somalia and the imposition of Islamic law – conditions widely regarded as unacceptable to Somalia’s political stakeholders and international partners.
Al-Shabaab, which is linked to Al-Qaeda, has been fighting the Somali government for more than a decade and continues to carry out deadly attacks despite sustained military operations by Somali forces backed by international allies.
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