By Ahmed Se'ed - Reporter
Somalia, 13 June 2026 – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has said the most effective way to protect Somalia from foreign interference is to build strong national institutions capable of defending the country’s interests and enforcing its sovereignty.
Speaking in an interview with Miiszaan Podcast of Dawan Medisa, the president argued that foreign governments naturally pursue their own political and strategic interests and that Somalia must focus on strengthening its own state structures rather than blaming outsiders for every challenge facing the country.
Hassan Sheikh said Somalia continues to face a number of restrictions and limitations in areas such as finance, diplomacy and international mobility, reflecting the country’s broader institutional vulnerabilities.
According to the president, external actors are able to influence Somalia largely because of weaknesses within the Somali state itself.
He said the country needs institutions that can effectively govern the territory, secure borders and ensure accountability, adding that a strong state would provide the tools needed to engage foreign governments from a position of confidence.
The president argued that all countries operate according to their own interests and policy agendas, making it unrealistic to expect foreign governments to prioritise Somalia’s concerns over their own national objectives.
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Instead, he said Somalia must develop the capacity to defend its interests through effective governance and stronger public institutions.
Hassan Sheikh also warned against what he described as a tendency to attribute every national problem to foreign actors, saying such narratives often distract from the need to address domestic weaknesses.
He stressed that Somalia’s long-term security, stability and sovereignty depend on strengthening state authority and reducing institutional fragility.
The president said a capable and effective Somali state remains the most important safeguard against external interference and a necessary foundation for the country’s future development.