Somalis continue to demonstrate their capacity to combat terrorist groups within their country without relying on external forces. A prime example is the Somali National Army (SNA) collaborating with the Hawadle Ma’awisley militias to drive Al-Shabaab out of vast territories. 

Their organic successes highlight the ability of Somalis to secure their land through unity and determination. However, these efforts have faced deliberate sabotage from individuals like President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Mahad Salad, who undermined the Ma’awisley uprising to reverse progress and maintain the reliance on foreign forces.

Currently, Puntland forces are replicating these achievements by effectively fighting ISIS terrorists without meaningful support from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS). Despite President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's refusal to allocate federal resources to support Puntland's efforts, they continue to achieve significant victories, showcasing the resilience and capabilities of Somali-led initiatives.

The international community must recognize these victories as evidence of Somalia’s ability to independently handle its security challenges. For decades, foreign forces with access to billions of dollars in funding and advanced weaponry have failed to eliminate terrorism in Somalia. In contrast, locally-led campaigns have delivered tangible results, underscoring the need to prioritize Somali forces over foreign interventions.

The case for the withdrawal of foreign forces, as demanded by the former administration (#NN) and enshrined in the ATMIS transition plan, is stronger than ever. Redirecting the billions spent on external military operations toward strengthening Somali security forces is a practical and effective strategy. 

Unfortunately, President @HassanSMohamud appears to prioritize maintaining the presence of foreign troops for personal and political gains, sabotaging successful grassroots movements like the Ma’awisley and Puntland initiatives to preserve the status quo.

The world must shift its focus to supporting Somali-led security efforts rather than enabling those who seek to undermine them for selfish interests. Somalia's organic victories prove that empowering its own people is the most sustainable path to defeating terrorism and achieving long-term stability.