Wednesday, February 1, 2023

East Africa regional leaders urged to choke terror networks, funding

MOGADISHU, Somalia

Kenyan President William Ruto has called upon East Africa’s regional leaders to dismantle terror networks and financial support infrastructure in order to eradicate the threat of terrorism.

Ruto was speaking during his visit to Mogadishu on Wednesday, where he joined other heads of state Somalia Frontline States Summit on regional efforts towards stabilization of Somalia and eradication of terrorism.

"We must dismantle terror networks and financial support infrastructure; this must be complemented by countering radicalization and the propagation of extremism,” he said.

Ruto commended Somali citizens for aiding the government’s war against terrorists, which has seen the government push back militants and retake key towns and regions that were initially under the clutch of the al-Shabaab terror group.

He urged the Somali people to continue with their efforts until the threat of terrorism is crushed completely.

President Ruto also congratulated his Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for turning the tide against terrorists, noting that the Horn of Africa nation was starting to taste success.

"It is time to firmly commit to improving our overall capacity to intervene effectively,” said Ruto.

"This can be achieved by enhancing the complementary mobilization of law enforcement, intelligence and financial resources.”

The al-Shabaab militant group has waged a vicious war in Somalia for years, seeking to topple the government and institute extreme sharia rule.

President Mohamud pledged to crush the terror group after he won the presidential election in May 2022.

He has repeatedly called on Somali citizens to join in the fight to defeat the terror group, pointing out that it was the only way they could reclaim their freedom from terror.

Other leaders who attended Wednesday’s summit in Mogadishu include Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh.

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