GALINSOOR — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, accompanied by Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye (Qoor-Qoor), has continued his tour of the Galgaduud region with visits to Galinsoor and Cadaado districts, as part of broader efforts to assess security conditions and engage with local communities.
The President and his delegation arrived in Galinsoor on Monday, August 17, 2026, where they were welcomed by hundreds of residents. The visit followed an earlier stop in Cadaado, where the President addressed a public gathering and urged the community to play an active role in what he described as the final phase of the campaign to eliminate Khawaarij militants from the country.
In Galinsoor, President Mohamud addressed a public gathering, calling on residents to prioritise peace, stability, and social cohesion. He emphasised the importance of ensuring that the city remains a peaceful environment where all communities can coexist harmoniously.
Earlier in the day, the President’s tour began in Dhusamareb, the capital of Galmudug, and included stops in Xananbuure and Godinlabe before reaching Cadaado. In Cadaado, President Mohamud praised the community for their unity, commitment to peace, and support for state-building efforts. He called on residents to fully participate in the final phase of the campaign against Khawaarij militants and to stand with the Somali National Army.
The President’s visit to Galmudug has been focused on strengthening federal government efforts to build and enhance the Somali National Army, with the President attending a ceremony marking the graduation of SNA troops trained for counter-terrorism operations. During his stay, President Mohamud has also inaugurated development projects across the region as part of broader plans to accelerate public services and economic infrastructure.
The President attended a ceremony in Dhusamareb marking the 20th anniversary of Galmudug State’s establishment, celebrating the progress made in the region while also addressing ongoing challenges facing Somalia’s federal system. In his address, President Mohamud praised the people of Galmudug for their unity and efforts to develop their region, noting that the situation in Galmudug today is vastly different from previous years when the region experienced state collapse and prolonged governance vacuums.
Strengthening Security and Community Engagement
The visit comes at a time when the Somali National Army has been intensifying operations against Al-Shabaab in central Somalia. Somali forces have recently killed 22 Al-Shabaab militants in operations in the Lower Shabelle region, demonstrating the sustained pressure on militant groups across multiple regions.
The Somali National Army and AUSSOM have been working to expedite the implementation of the Security Transition Plan to facilitate the transfer of security responsibilities to Somali forces, with central Somalia being a key focus area.
President Mohamud and Galmudug President Qoor-Qoor have visited the SNA’s 21st Division headquarters in Dhusamareb to review operational readiness and boost morale among troops deployed across the Galgaduud region. The 21st Division has been at the forefront of joint operations with local community fighters and international partners, recently playing a key role in securing key towns and routes in central Somalia.
Critical Note
While President Mohamud’s tour of Galmudug reflects the government’s commitment to engaging with communities and strengthening security in central Somalia, the broader campaign against Al-Shabaab continues to face significant challenges. The group has demonstrated resilience, adapting its tactics and maintaining its ability to carry out attacks despite sustained military pressure.
The effectiveness of the government’s approach will ultimately be measured by its ability to maintain security in liberated areas, prevent the group from regrouping, and address the underlying drivers of conflict, including corruption, clan grievances, and economic marginalisation. The engagement with local communities, while welcome, must be accompanied by tangible improvements in governance and service delivery to ensure that the population remains committed to the state-building process.
