“Somalia Has Not Been This Safe in the Last 10 Years” Somali Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama

“These are good times for the country, but from our perspective we can achieve even more.”

MOGADISHU (AA) – GÖKHAN KAVAK / SAADET FİRDEVS APARI – Somali Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama shared his views on the challenges his country has faced in the past 10 years, its achievements, the new draft election system, and the presence of Al-Shabaab in Somalia.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Jama said:
“I think a lot has changed in Somalia in the last 10 years. A dramatic transformation has taken place.”

He explained that the change can be seen in the real estate construction process, the economy, security, and Somalia’s relations with the outside world.
“The number of ongoing constructions, roads, buildings, new residential areas, shopping malls—these are all evidence of the country’s increasing security and stability.”

Jama stressed that federalism has taken root in the country:
“Even outside Mogadishu, you can see great improvements in people’s living conditions. This change is the product of better governance.”

He added that challenges still remain:
“We have not completely eradicated Al-Shabaab, and we are making significant efforts to eliminate this group entirely. Drought and climate change affect us, especially our vulnerable communities. Unemployment is another issue. But people and institutions are becoming more resilient.”

Jama noted that the government is fighting these challenges with many programs:
“These are good times for the country, but from our perspective we can achieve even more.”

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“Somalia Has Not Been This Safe in the Last 10 Years”

Jama emphasized that the number of incidents in the country has significantly decreased:
“Somalia has not been this safe in the last 10 years.”

On the fight against Al-Shabaab, he said:
“The Somali people have shown great resilience and strength in confronting one of the world’s strongest terrorist groups. Together with the U.S., Turkey, the African Union, and many other international partners, we are certainly increasing the country’s security.”

He also highlighted the long-debated direct election system based on “one person, one vote,” describing it as one of the long-desired goals of the Somali people.

Jama said that when President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud came to power, one of his top priorities was to launch and accelerate the democratization process:
“If you don’t have solid institutional foundations, it is very difficult to attract foreign investment. It is very difficult to change the country’s image abroad. Therefore, politics is the foundation upon which we build our future—the main pillar. So ‘one person, one vote’ is no longer just an aspiration. It is an ongoing process and the wish and dream of the Somali people, so they can choose their preferred representatives for public office.”

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“Somalia in 2025 Will Be a Developing Somalia in Every Aspect”

Jama expressed optimism about the country’s future:
“Somalia does not lack resources. We have some of the most strategic ports in the region. From our seas to our lands, I believe we have a great agricultural potential with a very stable climate. With the right infrastructure, we can make large investments in energy. Beyond that, we believe the entrepreneurial spirit of our people will take us very far. As the government, we are working to lay the foundations for a very bright future.”

He also drew attention to Somalia’s geopolitical significance:
“It is located at the heart of global supply chains and has resilient, skilled, and capable people willing to build capital.”

Finally, Jama underlined:
“Somalia in 2025 will be a truly developing country in every aspect—from the economy to security, from global and international relations to social cohesion.”