Wednesday April 17, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud called on security officials to intensify their efforts to ensure the security of Mogadishu during the Banadir Regional Security Conference held in the capital today. The meeting, chaired by Mohamud, Somalia's President and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, focused on further enhancing safety measures in Mogadishu, which has seen considerable improvements recently.
Attendees included Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre, the Ministers of Security and Defense, commanders of the Armed Forces, the Banadir regional governor, and district governors from the region. The details of the specific security measures discussed are not yet public. However, They reportedly discussed accelerating current security initiatives and examined new strategies to protect citizens.
The conference featured presentations by security agency officials, who outlined the current security situation in the capital. The meeting focused on advancing security protocols in the capital amidst reports of potential threats to significant locations.
Intelligence from the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi indicates Aden Adde International Airport, a critical hub for the African Union mission and various embassies, including those of the U.S., as a possible target. The source of the threat remains unspecified, although the al-Shabab militant group has a history of violence against the Somali government, African Union forces, and allied nations.
Following a brief suspension of services due to these concerns, Aden Adde International Airport has resumed operations, and international flights to and from Mogadishu are again underway.
The conference is a precursor to the upcoming two-day National Consultative Council (NCC) summit, a crucial event that will bring together federal and regional leaders to the capital on Sunday. The regional government of Puntland has announced its decision to abstain from the summit, marking a significant development following its withdrawal from the country's federal system.