Somali Ambassador to Ethiopia Abdullahi Mohamed Warfa praised the Ethiopian government's determination and devotion to eradicating al-Shabaab, a terrorist organization attempting to destabilize the Horn of Africa, in an interview with an Ethiopian media outlet.
The diplomat stated that Ethiopia has played a vital role in maintaining peace and security in the region, especially in Somalia, while enduring significant losses in combating the terrorist organization Al-Shabaab.
"The Ethiopian government has mobilized its forces to combat terrorism and stand alongside Somalia in the fight against the terrorists who have been trying to destabilize the region," the ambassador is quoted as saying.
He emphasized the importance of robust solidarity among the countries in the region to fight al-Shabaab and other extremist groups that have been exporting terrorist activities in neighboring regions. In this regard, the ambassador urged all parties concerned to increase their efforts to combat and eradicate the extremist movement.
"The terrorist Al-Shabaab is dangerous to national security of all countries in Africa, and East Africa in particular. We must join hands to fight this terrorist group and completely annihilate it from the Horn of Africa and East Africa," he said.
He noted that al-Shabaab "does not have a specific geography" and therefore conducts terrorist operations in various parts of Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. Warfa reiterated that the group poses a major threat to regional security, stressing that the fight against it requires contributions from all the states in the Horn of Africa.
Additionally, Warfa commended African governments for their support in maintaining Somalia's stability and facilitating its participation in global and regional affairs.
According to the ambassador, the Somali government, in cooperation with other countries of the region, has carried out large-scale operations to combat the terrorist group. He added that there are also efforts to diminish the organization's influence by cutting off its financial resources.
The government has recently intensified the fight against al-Shabaab, which is waging an armed insurgency against the central authorities of Somalia. In 2022, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud proclaimed a "total war" against terrorists, which involves ideological, financial, and military measures aimed at dismantling the group by the end of 2023.
Neighboring Ethiopia has also stepped up its efforts to combat terrorist activities. In August, the Ethiopian National Intelligence and Security Service said it had foiled several terrorist plots against its civilians and arrested 165 al-Shabaab* and 121 Daesh* terrorists with the help of the international community.
* Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaeda and Daesh (ISIL/ ISIS/ IS) are terrorist groups banned in Russia and many other countries.