Ethiopia’s Somali State Holds Community Dialogue on Countering Violent Extremism

Jig-jiga(Mogadishu24)-Representatives from Ethiopia’s Somali State government held a collaborative dialogue and community sensitization session on preventing violent extremism in Hargelle town, Afdheer region, on Tuesday.

The discussions focused on preventing the phenomenon of violent extremism, radicalization, and the spread of extremist ideologies, as well as addressing security threats posed by terrorist groups.

Mr. Shukri Hassan Barre, the Governor of Afdheer region, stressed that the aim of the dialogue was to create community awareness against radicalization and to highlight the impacts of terrorism on regional peace and stability.

“We organized this sensitization program to enlighten communities about the severe threats of religious extremism to civilian security and stability. We also provided religious leaders with the opportunity to elaborate on the religious aspects of those terrorist groups like Al-Shabaab who misuse religion to commit crimes,” said Mr. Shukri Hassan, Afdheer region’s governor.

The Governor added that the government and religious leaders would take joint mobilization efforts to create awareness against radicalization.

“We also plan to initiate a community awareness initiative led by religious leaders and the regional administration on the effects of radicalization and ways to prevent it.”

“We also focus on comprehensive dispute resolution measures, promoting unity and peaceful coexistence between the communities living in this region, which will be a fundamental pillar for progress and development,” he added.

The Secretary of the Supreme Council of Muslim Affairs of the Ethiopian Somali Regional Government, Sheikh Mohamed Sheikh Alinur, reiterated their commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region by creating awareness against revolving intercommunity disputes and educating them on the effects it has on communities.