By Nuh Mohamed - Reporter
Somalia, July 7 2026 – Somalia Defence Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi described Al Shabaab as a political "party" competing with the ruling Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP), comments that sparked debate on social media.
Speaking in Hul-Caduur, near Ceeldheer in the central Galgaduud region on Monday, Fiqi said Somalia was effectively being contested by two "parties" – Al Shabaab, the militant group, and the ruling JSP.
"The two parties competing for this country are Al Shabaab and the JSP," Fiqi said.
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The remarks quickly drew mixed reactions online. Some users interpreted them as implying that Al Shabaab had been elevated from its designation as a militant group, while others argued the minister was using political rhetoric to suggest that other opposition parties lacked influence and that the real contest was between the government and Al Shabaab.
Al Shabaab is designated as a terrorist organisation by Somalia, the United States, the United Nations and several other countries. The minister did not indicate any change in the government's policy toward the group.