Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (HSM) has stepped up his frontline engagement, visiting Galmudug and Hirshabelle to show support for the Ma’awiisley campaign against Al‑Shabaab. In a speech at newly liberated Baxdo, HSM emphasized Somalia’s Shafi’i and Ahlu Sunnah wal Jama’ah traditions, challenging the Wahhabi influence that has grown since the 1970s. Shafi’ism, historically dominant in Somalia, blended naturally with Sufi beliefs, promoting pluralism and inclusivity. Wahhabism, in contrast, has pushed a puritanical, exclusivist vision, fueling tensions with Somalia’s Sufi communities. HSM’s stance reflects a broader push for “moderate Islam,” supported by key appointments such as Mukhtar Robow as counterterrorism czar and Farah Abdulqadir as Minister of Education, tasked with reforming Islamic education. This ideological campaign runs parallel to the military offensive against Al‑Shabaab, which sees moderate Islam as a direct threat. While ideological pushback is gaining momentum, tangible reform in education, mosque governance, and legislation will be essential. Moderating Somalia’s religious discourse will be a generational effort requiring constitutional safeguards to protect diversity. By promoting a non‑sectarian Islamic identity, HSM aims to foster a more tolerant and stable Somalia, breaking decades of ambivalence toward extremist narratives.
Former Al-Shabaab commander Mukhtar Robow “Abu Mansur” has broken his silence in an interview with VOA Somali journalist Harun Maruf, speaking about his political ambitions and the harsh conditions of his detention since 2018. Despite being held without formal charges and denied outside contact, Robow remains committed to his goal of serving the Somali people. His arrest, carried out with Ethiopian troop assistance, sparked deadly protests in Baidoa and international condemnation. Critics argue that his case exemplifies Somalia’s selective and opaque approach to militant rehabilitation, where political motives outweigh genuine reintegration efforts. Robow’s strong clan backing and pragmatic Salafi stance make him a unique figure compared to other detained jihadists, such as Hassan Dahir Aweys. His attempted run for president of South West State in 2018 was blocked by the federal government, allegedly to prevent him from becoming a threat to both Mogadishu and Al-Shabaab’s ideological narrative. Somalia’s rehabilitation programme, known as “Serendi,” has been widely criticised as ineffective, serving intelligence purposes more than true de-radicalisation. Robow’s reappearance raises questions about his political future and whether the government will genuinely engage him or continue using him as a pawn in Somalia’s complex political game.