By Hassan Adan
Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Salah Ahmed Jama, on Thursday convened a high-level national forum aimed at strengthening efforts to counter extremist ideology, as the government seeks to complement military gains with preventive strategies.
The meeting, organized by the National Center for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (TUBSAN), brought together senior government officials, international partners and security experts in the capital, Mogadishu.
Officials said the forum focused on enhancing national capacity to challenge and dismantle extremist narratives, particularly among young people who are often targeted for recruitment by militant groups.
“The government is resolutely committed to ensuring national security and building a future generation free from extremist ideologies,” Jama said during the meeting.
He added that while Somali forces and their allies had made “significant progress” in security operations against insurgents, more needed to be done to address the root causes of radicalization.
“Our military successes must be reinforced by strong ideological and community-based interventions to secure long-term stability,” he said.
Participants at the forum emphasized the need to accelerate grassroots awareness campaigns and expand community engagement initiatives aimed at countering violent extremism.
International partners attending the meeting welcomed Somalia’s approach, describing it as a shift toward a more comprehensive strategy that combines security operations with prevention.
A representative from an international partner delegation said, “Somalia’s focus on countering extremist narratives, especially among youth, is a critical step toward sustainable peace and security.”
In recent years, Somalia has intensified its campaign against militant groups, alongside broader reforms aimed at strengthening state institutions.
Security Experts say integrating ideological efforts with military operations could play a key role in reducing recruitment and stabilizing communities vulnerable to extremist influence.
The forum underscores Mogadishu’s increasing emphasis on long-term strategies to counter extremism, as it works with international partners to transition from immediate security responses to preventive and resilience-building measures.
