Mogadishu May 03, 2023 (SD) – -The President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, participated in a town hall meeting where he was asked various questions related to governance and the country’s progress over the past year.

The President emphasized that the biggest challenge facing the country has been Al-Shabaab, which had killed thousands of innocent Somali civilians, and hampered improvement in the country’s security, development, and unity.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud also said that his administration is committed to organizing a credible, transparent, and inclusive election, in which Somalis will participate in electing their representatives to parliament.

He expressed hope that the election, scheduled for 2026, will be a success and will be an important step toward the country’s stability and prosperity.

When asked about the situation in Laascaanood, the president said his administration’s priority is to stop the ongoing conflict, stop the bloodshed, and then sit down at the table and negotiate. We have prioritized the people of Laascaanood’s needs and no one should force them to do something they don’t like.

President Hassan on the other hand spoke about the conflict between the Federal Government and Puntland state, saying we have assigned three state presidents to listen to their concerns. There is nothing that we know so far, or has been shared with us, about what their objections are.