Somali presidential adviser blasts Hirshabelle and federal government over security failures

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Friday March 7, 2025

Mogadishu (HOL) — A senior adviser to Somalia's president has sharply criticized the leadership of Hirshabelle state, accusing its top officials of failing to take decisive action in the fight against Al-Shabaab while also faulting the federal government for neglecting the security and humanitarian crisis in the Gedo region.

Mohamed Hassan Ibrahim Qoone, the presidential adviser on federal-state relations, accused Hirshabelle's leadership of being absent from critical military operations against the insurgent group.

"Hirshabelle's leaders, who should be leading the war against terrorism, are instead missing—one is in Jowhar, and the other is in Beledweyne. Their absence is unacceptable," Qoone said. "The people of Hirshabelle must unite and actively support the ongoing offensive in Middle Shabelle and Hiiraan to eradicate Al-Shabaab from the region."

Qoone's remarks come as Somalia faces a major security crisis, with Al-Shabaab mounting a series of coordinated assaults across Middle Shabelle and Hiiraan. Since February 20, the militant group had stormed multiple towns, briefly seizing strategic locations, including Bal'ad—just 30 kilometres from Mogadishu—before federal forces counterattacked.

The attacks have stretched government resources thin, with Al-Shabaab targeting military bases, federal troops, and Ma'awisley clan militias in a bid to reclaim lost ground. While the government and the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) have launched counterstrikes, the group has demonstrated resilience, posting images of its fighters inside government-controlled areas before being pushed back.

The offensive has also highlighted growing vulnerabilities within Somalia's counterinsurgency efforts. The federal government regained large swaths of territory from Al-Shabaab in 2022-2023, but momentum has stalled, and recent operations have failed to prevent the militants from regrouping. The Ma'awisley militia, which plays a key role in securing these areas, has been weakened by clan disputes, diverting attention away from the fight against Al-Shabaab.

Qoone also denounced the federal government's inaction in Gedo, saying its failure to address the region's worsening conditions reflected broader governance shortcomings.

"It is deeply disappointing that the government has ignored the challenges in Gedo. A committee must be established to assess the situation and ensure the people receive basic public services," he said.

Drawing a comparison with past administrations, Qoone claimed Somalia's previous governments, dating back to 1956, had demonstrated greater competence and commitment to national interests than the current administration.

"The current government does not serve the Somali people—it only prioritizes its own interests," he said.

His remarks follow reports of a Somali mother who died in Baardheere due to lack of medical care after authorities failed to arrange an emergency flight to Mogadishu. However, the Somali Civil Aviation Authority denied any flight restrictions in place for the Gedo region.

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