MOGADISHU (HAN) — Somalia’s Deputy Prime Minister, Salah Ahmed Jama, says Mogadishu is safer today than at any time in the past ten years, despite ongoing battles between security forces and the militant group Al-Shabaab.
In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Jama noted that security incidents have significantly declined and that the capital has witnessed marked improvement in stability.
“The facts are clear. Our security forces, working with international partners such as the U.S., Turkey, and the African Union, are continuously improving national security. Meanwhile, the Somali people have shown remarkable resilience and courage in confronting one of the world’s deadliest terrorist groups,” he said.
Jama stressed that the long-awaited “one person, one vote” electoral system remains a top national priority, describing it as a key democratic goal championed by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
“Without strong state institutions, it is difficult to attract foreign investment or reshape the country’s global image. Politics is the foundation upon which we will build our future,” he added.
He also pointed to Somalia’s transformation over the past decade, highlighting new housing, roads, markets, and rising economic activity as proof of improved security and stability. Federalism, he said, has taken root beyond Mogadishu, driving visible progress in people’s daily lives.
Still, Jama admitted that Somalia continues to face major challenges, including Al-Shabaab’s insurgency, recurring droughts, and climate shocks. Yet, he emphasized that Somalis and their institutions are growing stronger in resilience.
