BAIDOA, Somalia – The President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh together with the regional leader of the Southwest, Abdaziz LaftaGareen, last night met with the elders in Baidoa city.
The meeting focused on the government’s plan to launch the second phase of the offensive against Al-Shabaab and liberate the country after decades of conflict and lawlessness.
The president asked the elders to contribute to the war on Al-Shabaab and play their role in community organizing which is tested to be vital for the SNA operation in central regions.
Hassan Sheikh said the government will soon begin the second phase of the multi-front offensive in Southwest and Jubaland states, south of Somalia, where Al-Shabaab has a larger presence.
During the meeting, the traditional elders told the president that they stand by him in the fight, praising the president’s commitment to a peaceful Somalia, free from Al-Shabaab.
The army is not successful in liberating Al-Shabaab from Galmudug and HirShabelle as Al-Shabaab is still present in many areas of the central regions of the Horn of Africa nation.