MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Al-Qaeda-linked militant group Al-Shabaab has entrenched itself on the outskirts of Mogadishu, establishing new bases and intensifying its attacks on Somali security forces, a senior African Union (AU) official warned on Wednesday. The growing militant presence raises fears of an imminent assault on Somalia’s capital.
Syuvile Bam, deputy envoy of the African Union to Somalia, told a United Nations Security Council meeting that the jihadist group had made significant territorial gains, moving beyond traditional insurgency tactics to consolidate control of several key areas. This shift threatens to undermine the Somali government’s grip on the capital.
Bam also highlighted the growing danger posed by large caches of weaponry seized by militants, including mortars, which have been used in recent strikes against high-profile targets such as the presidential palace, Mogadishu airport, and the Halane base, which houses foreign diplomatic missions.
The AU official voiced concerns about financial and operational constraints facing the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), stressing that without immediate intervention, the situation could deteriorate further, jeopardizing the mission’s effectiveness.
However, the Somali government sharply rebutted Bam’s comments, accusing the AU official of misrepresenting the situation to international partners. Ali Omar, Somalia’s State Minister of Foreign Affairs, dismissed claims of Al-Shabaab’s resurgence, asserting that the group’s capabilities were at their weakest in years.
“Somalia is more peaceful than ever, and Al-Shabaab is weaker than it’s been in years,” Omar said in a statement on Twitter. “It’s unfortunate that Mr. Bam’s downplay the progress made. We remain grateful for the sacrifices of our African brothers and sisters and the critical role of the AU mission in Somalia.”
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