Tuesday April 4, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre presided over the Security Council meeting on Monday in Mogadishu to discuss the acceleration of security in the country, eliminating the Al-Shabaab group, laws promoting security, and lifting the arms embargo on Somalia.
Reports on ongoing operations in the country aimed at stabilizing general security and liberating the remaining areas under the control of the Al-Shabaab group were presented at the conference.
"The meeting approved the name and mandate of the National Center for Combating Extremist Ideology WAANO, which will be under the Office of the Prime Minister," the Somali Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.
Officials also discussed the national plan to combat extremist ideology, which the statement emphasized was critical to the country's ability to maintain a safe and peaceful society.
Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre has repeatedly stated that his government is prioritizing the stabilization and liberation of the country so that the Somali community can bear the burden of the Al-Shabaab group.
Last month, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud announced initiating the second phase of military operations against the extremist group Al-Shabaab. This new phase aims to eradicate the militant group from the remaining parts of the country.
The first phase, which began in August 2022, marked a turning point in Somalia's struggle against Al-Shabaab. The Somali-led offensive in central Somalia demonstrated the progress and increased capability of the SNA.