Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia : Somalia has a serious security challenge

Somalia has a serious security challenge


Paul Njie speaks to Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of Somalia,
about ongoing efforts to achieve security and stability in his
country. While he says much progress has been made in tackling
terror, he acknowledges that the insurgent groups al-Qaeda and,
in particular, al-Shabab still pose a serious challenge. However,
he refutes the American charge that Somalia is a safe haven for
terrorists - a charge that has led to a US travel ban for Somali
nationals.


He also stands firm in the face of pressure to allow the
secession of Somaliland, the self-declared republic in the north
of Somalia. The country’s unity, he says, is sacrosanct.
Long-running tensions with neighbouring Ethiopia are downplayed,
and instead he gives his support to working together in both
countries’ interests.


President Mohamud first came to power in 2012, at the head of an
internationally backed Government that brought a degree of
stability to a country riven by civil war for decades. Re-elected
for a second time in 2022, he is now attempting to change the
country’s constitution to allow direct voting for all citizens
rather than through clan elders. He believes this is necessary to
continue Somalia’s journey to democracy.


Thank you to Paul Njie, Hassan Lali and Gladys Kigo for their
help in making this programme. The Interview brings you
conversations with people shaping our world, from all over the
world. The best interviews from the BBC. You can listen on the
BBC World Service, Mondays and Wednesdays at 0700 GMT. Or you can
listen to The Interview as a podcast, out twice a week on BBC
Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts.


Presenter: Paul Njie Producers: Hassan Lali and Lucy Sheppard
Editor: Justine Lang


Get in touch with us on email TheInterview@bbc.co.uk and use the
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(Image: Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud poses for a photo
in his office. Credit: Ed Ram/Getty Images)