Somalia’s Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has denied reports of secret talks or a direct agreement with Al-Shabaab, saying the government remains committed to defeating the group while remaining open to dialogue with those who renounce violence.
MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has denied that his government has held direct talks or reached any agreement with Al-Shabaab, while saying authorities remain open to dialogue with members of the Islamist militant group who abandon its ideology and armed campaign.
Speaking in an interview with local media, Barre said the federal government's current relationship with Al-Shabaab was defined by its military campaign to regain territory and defeat the group.
“We have not entered into talks, nor do we have any relationship with them. What stands between us is the liberation of the country,” Barre said.
The prime minister said, however, that the government had never ruled out dialogue as a means of bringing members of the group back into Somali society if they abandoned violence.
“We are ready to talk to anyone who wants dialogue and who leaves that path,” he said, adding that the government would welcome those prepared to renounce the group's ideology and armed struggle.
Barre also said Al-Shabaab members could eventually return to civilian life if they stopped killing and accepted the authority of the Somali government.
“They will become our brothers on the day they stop the killings and accept their government,” he said.
The prime minister stressed that neither he nor President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had held direct talks with Al-Shabaab.
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His comments came amid recurring allegations in Somalia that the federal government has maintained undisclosed contacts with the militant group or reached informal security arrangements to reduce attacks, particularly in Mogadishu.
Barre also rejected claims that his government had paid Al-Shabaab to reduce attacks or maintain security in the capital. He said the government had not paid bribes or money to the group in exchange for security.
He further alleged that some people spreading such claims were individuals the government suspected of having links to Al-Shabaab. Barre did not provide detailed evidence to support that allegation. Similar accusations about alleged contacts between Somali authorities and the militant group have circulated previously, but the government has repeatedly denied them.
The debate comes as Somalia continues its long-running campaign against Al-Shabaab, which has carried out attacks across the country and remains capable of launching deadly assaults despite military operations by Somali forces and their international partners.
The government's position, as outlined by Barre, distinguishes between negotiating with Al-Shabaab as an organisation and engaging individuals who defect from the group. The prime minister has said former members who abandon the group's ideology and violence can return to society, with some former militants having previously been integrated into state institutions.
Barre's remarks also come at a time when the Somali government is seeking to sustain its campaign against Al-Shabaab while addressing broader political and security challenges. In a separate interview with Dawan, the prime minister said the government's earlier military offensive against Al-Shabaab had achieved significant gains before losing momentum because of several factors, including weaknesses in planning and implementation.
For now, Barre said, the government's position remains that there are no direct negotiations with Al-Shabaab, while the door remains open to individuals who renounce the group's armed campaign and seek a peaceful return to Somali society.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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