President Museveni calls for Somali unity against Al-Shabaab

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has urged Somali leaders and citizens to achieve political unity to effectively combat the Al-Shabaab insurgency. Speaking during a meeting with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at State House, Entebbe, Museveni argued that ideological divisions and a misdiagnosis of the country’s underlying issues have hindered long-term stability.

Museveni warned that internal divisions among the majority could allow a minority to maintain influence, drawing parallels to sectarian governance issues seen in other African nations like Sudan. He emphasized that a united approach is necessary to confront the threats facing Somalia.

President Mohamud briefed Museveni on the current security situation and expressed gratitude for the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and their role in African Union-led peace support operations. The leaders also discussed strengthening bilateral trade and economic cooperation, specifically regarding coffee trade between Uganda and Somalia.